World of WarCraft’snewShadowlandsexpansion adds somemuch-needed updatesto the character creation system. Characters can now appear more closely to concept art than ever with new and unique additions to each race. Some of the most notable changes come in the form of brand new hairstyles, eye & skin colors, and accessories.
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While these are great changes, it paves the way for even more possibilities in the near future. Now that female Night Elves can look exactlylike Tyrande Whisperwindfrom classic art with her leafy hair and moon headdress, is a portly Goblin similar to Trade Prince Gallywix a possibility? Looking to the future with all these new options is exciting, butWorld of WarCraft’sengine does have its limitations.
9Pointed Ears On Humans
Even though they face discrimination in theWarCraftuniverse, half-elves exist. Since the newShadowlandscharacter creator allows Void Elves blue eyes & light skin for High Elf roleplay and Trolls brown skin & tattoos for Sand Troll roleplay, why not half-elves for humans?
It also grants the opportunity forBlizzardto update existing half-elves in the game, such as Arator the Redeemer and Alodi. Arator is the son of Alleria Windrunner (a high elf) and High Exarch Turalyon (a human). The first guardian of Tirisfal, Alodi, considers himself a half-elf, although he never knew his parents. Another hint to his elf-like appearance is also shown intheWarCraftfilmin which actress Glenn Close plays what appears to be an androgynous version of Alodi (although some speculate it’s a hybrid character of Alodi and Aegwynn).
8More Skin And Face Options
Shadowlandsintroducesgreater customization optionsfor humans, allowing hairstyles, facial structures, and skin colors of multiple races. It’s a much needed, progressive change for the game. However, it also opens the door for more in-depth customization for other races of Azeroth.
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Humans, along with many of their other new options, have three facial shapes known as angular, round, and heart. As of the launch ofShadowlands, they are the only race to get this choice along with dozens of new faces, skin colors, and even eyebrow options. Female humans now get makeup customization as well, leaving many Elves, Orcs, and Gnomes alike wanting to spruce up their look as well.
7Stationary Poses
Many other MMOs, such asFinal Fantasy XIV, offer stationary poses or stance options for players. This gives characters a lot more personality and allows players even further customization options. At this time,World of WarCrafthas no pose alterations. Players only get the default stance for each race and gender. Blizzard could take inspiration fromThe Elder Scrolls Online, which often gives players new pose options upon completing certain in-game objectives. For example, theTelvanni Mage questlineends up rewarding the Telvanni Magister Personality which puts characters in a curious thinking pose. Others introduce exterior elements, such as floating books that the character reads while idling in town.
6Individual Body Part Options Or Sliders
World of WarCraft’sengine is old. Even though it has received a surprising amount of updates over the years, players may never see truly in-depth character customization with sliders.
Players only get to choose from select options rather than scaling body parts to their desired level. Blizzard comes close, however, with nose and ear options for Goblins. This is even more true inShadowlandswith ear and nose options being separate from each other rather than a whole package of a single option. It still shouldn’t be too difficult to add a least three body height options for each race. Armor pieces should scale up in size and still function the same way on each body.
5Non-Facial Scars
Blizzard slowly introduced scar options with preset faces on newer races, such as Worgen and Kul’Tirans. With the options in Shadowlands, even more races have facial scar options, such as the ominous Teldrassil burn for Night Elves. Since it’s also viable to go shirtless, sleeveless, and gloveless at transmog vendors, why not add body scars as well?
Blizzard developers have the opportunity to get very creative here with more Teldrassil-related burns, slash marks, old stab wounds, and more. Similar to the Wood Elves ofThe Elder Scrolls Online, perhaps Orcs, Trolls, Night Elves, andother racesmight have self-inflicted wounds. Who wouldn’t want to play an Orc with a vast collection of kill scars?
4Body Types
Kul’Tirans allow for rounder body types for humans. They’re considered a tough, stocky people, but even still, there are Stormwind-sized humans in the city. In fact, there are even non-muscular variants. If the model exists, where is the customization option?
At this point, there’s no reason for humans, at the very least (Kul’Tiran or otherwise), to have body type options. Not to mention, it creates a harsh stereotype that humans from Kul’Tiras are just obese. when that’s not necessarily true in-game. Adding these variants is a step in the right direction, and perhaps a viable option for other races as well. Nothing wrong with a Blood Elf with a belly.
3Unique Tattoos
Between Demon Hunters and the newShadowlandsoptions, there are definitely customizable tattoos in the game. The problem is that they’re all relatively the same, minus small, thematic differences. They’re all full-torso tattoos spanning the arms, chest, and stomach. It adds racial identity, but where is the creative, personalized ink?
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Some MMOs, such asBlack Desert, go as far as allowing players to position the tattoo on the face or body.World of WarCraftmay never see something that detailed, but it’s still possible for small, unique, maybe unlockable tattoos. Just for fun, there might be an unlockable heart with “Mom” printed on it. Or even simpler, Blizzard could allow for a single sleeve rather than a full-body tattoo.
2Casting Animations
In years long gone, there was talk ofa dance studio. The goal of this feature would allow players to customize their dance emotes and create something completely unique. The dance studio never came and eventually withered away into a meme, now long forgotten. There’s still potential for this feature to make a comeback, and in doing so, allow foranimations & emotesbeyond dancing.
For thepast several expansions, classes slowly received new casting animations. While it was nice seeing this change, it actually took away from the personality of many races that had their own unique casts. A dance studio or similar feature gives players the chance to tweak these animations, adding more personality, flare, and individuality to their characters.
1Unique Accessories For Each Race
Shadowlandsintroduces some interesting and unique accessory pieces for all ofthe non-allied races. Some of the most notable include the headdress and necklace for Night Elf females, nearly identical to that seen in Tyrande Whisperwind art as well as a small flower for Tauren. These are amazing options culminating in a fantastic start for the new character customization.
Blizzard should absolutely keep this going with even more three-dimensional accessories. For example, Gnomes might set spanners on their ears and Pandaren might get elaborate headdresses or extravagant earrings for females.
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