Official High Elf Discussion Megathread

[FlubberPuddy]

I am sure they have 15 years worth of data that shows them players' race changing habits and behaviors. Like all 'microtranscations' it's just a very small like 5% proportion of players (whales) that do 99% of the spending and I am positive that it's true for WoW too.

What is important for new racial customization options is that they trigger the race-change-paying whales to pay to play as characters with new options. It can't happen too soon, or the whales won't spend, so there's going to be a necessary cooling period between customization updates, but I'm also positive there will always be future customization updates no matter how many they add. There is a lot of money to be made and this game is a business.

My guess is that they'll alternate between adding new races and updating existing ones, that would keep the race change money flowing year over year. Since we most recently had an update to the core races my bet is that they'll next add the Covenant Allied Races in 10.x and then pre-Shadowlands allied race customization updates after that.

A bit wrong there, in that Blizzard admitted they were practically floored by the adoration the playerbase had when Allied Races came out and then even more so when they announced extra customizations to races.

They're a big ass company and most likely have a very bureaucratic pipeline for getting information from the community to the main design heads, which is why you often see players complaining about 'why does it take Blizzard so long to make improvements when it's so obvious' sentiments.

They've already stated that they're holding off on adding more race customizations in Shadowlands where previously they said there would be more additions coming. That means they understand extra race customizations as a powerful expansion selling point (like Kyriani said), not merely to hardcore focus on getting race-changes to happen.

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Just the past data that shows how little work Blizzard is willing to put on player characters.

So you think this

We tried to be really thoughtful about this, this type of thing, and these types of features tend to be fairly big projects. We want to make sure that we put the time in, that we're very thoughtful about it, and that we release new customizations when its gonna be really good for the game...

means "let's wait 5 more expansions?" because it sounds more like they understand the heft customizations have as expansion level enticements.

https://www.wowhead.com/news/wow-q-a...owlands-321053

Especially considering before Shadowlands released they stated that AR would get customizations later on in Shadowlands.

[MyWholeLifeIsThunder]

disregard my previous post, I misread; you mean like Silver Covenant colors?

No, just like regular grey/metal looking; colorless, of you will; for example, in your latest edits you are changing the red of the BE skins for like a dark teal, have you considered using a "neutral" color?

Overall that's one thing I don't love about the reforged textures; lot's of colored parts that clash with certain team colors.

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I still believe we'll see some amount of new customization added in 10.0 and beyond. The demand is there and Blizzard knows it. As to how much of it we'll get, I can't really say.

I mean, without coming off as a supporter of microtransactions, Blizz could monetize the hell out of customization if they put effort on it lol, they would make bank.

Like even "non natural hair color dyes" that allowed to buy new hair colors would sell like hot cakes.

But yeah, given the backlash against the lack of customization beyond launch, I do think it's highly likely Blizz will address it once again on 10.0, much like Allied Races were both in 7.0 and 8.0

[FossilFree]

Blizzard often says no to things and then turns around and does them anyways. I think the "no" is just a distraction so they can surprise everyone later on and say "see, we listened!"

[FlubberPuddy]

Blizzard often says no to things and then turns around and does them anyways. I think the "no" is just a distraction so they can surprise everyone later on and say "see, we listened!"

There was an article that came out on Blizzard development recently. But essentially it's similar to all big companies: changes takes a slow time because of all the hoops/bureaucracy within a large organization. Something from the community/game has to get passed from a CM/Tester to some lead to another supervisor/manager to head designer etc before it reaches those who can dictate what changes to make based on the finding.

This is why often players will notice things much faster than Blizzard and then complain, "how come they haven't noticed it when people have been talking about it for x time" it's more because if it's not some crazy urgent matter then it can take a while for it to get to the right group that can make/dictate those changes.

[Varodoc]

Blizzard often says no to things and then turns around and does them anyways. I think the "no" is just a distraction so they can surprise everyone later on and say "see, we listened!"

Of course. But still, it bothers me that I have to wait until 10.0 for new customization options for Void elves. I'd prefer if the 30 Pandaren players world-wide had to wait that long instead frankly.

[Vaedan]

Of course. But still, it bothers me that I have to wait until 10.0 for new customization options for Void elves. I'd prefer if the 30 Pandaren players world-wide had to wait that long instead frankly.

If you look at new features pandaren got with launch of SL, it is actually close to what you said. Void elves already got more meaningful options then pandaren who are core race.

I'm not particularly interested in pandaren, but new customizations might help with their popularity. It did not happen. On the other hand, void elves still has their time when allied races will be looked on.

[Varodoc]

If you look at new features pandaren got with launch of SL, it is actually close to what you said. Void elves already got more meaningful options then pandaren who are core race.

I'm not particularly interested in pandaren, but new customizations might help with their popularity. It did not happen. On the other hand, void elves still has their time when allied races will be looked on.

Pandaren, or gnomes, or goblin will never be popular simply because they are niche races that don't appeal to the average gamer. Therefore it would make sense to keep these races for last, you're not going to make them more popular by giving them more options. People don't play goblin not because they lack cool hair options, but because they are... goblins.

[Vaedan]

Pandaren, or gnomes, or goblin will never be popular simply because they are niche races that don't appeal to the average gamer. Therefore it would make sense to keep these races for last, you're not going to make them more popular by giving them more options. People don't play goblin not because they lack cool hair options, but because they are... goblins.

Well, not sure. I'm actually way more interested in worgen now. New options and model rework from late BfA made them way more likeable option for me. New options have always potential to make race more popular.

I agree with you that some races are niche archetypes which will most likely never be as popular as more general and neutral archetypes like humans, orcs, elves... But it's not a reason to deny them development.

[Kyriani]

I'd be more inclined to play Worgen males and Forsaken of both sexes if they had the option to stand upright. But I'm never going to play kul tirans, mechagnomes/gnomes, goblins, or dwarf/dark iron males. They just aren't aesthetically appealing to me no matter how many options they get. If kul tirans ever get the option to use the standard human model then I'd make one.

[FossilFree]

There was an article that came out on Blizzard development recently. But essentially it's similar to all big companies: changes takes a slow time because of all the hoops/bureaucracy within a large organization. Something from the community/game has to get passed from a CM/Tester to some lead to another supervisor/manager to head designer etc before it reaches those who can dictate what changes to make based on the finding.

This is why often players will notice things much faster than Blizzard and then complain, "how come they haven't noticed it when people have been talking about it for x time" it's more because if it's not some crazy urgent matter then it can take a while for it to get to the right group that can make/dictate those changes.

Sounds about right.

Of course. But still, it bothers me that I have to wait until 10.0 for new customization options for Void elves. I'd prefer if the 30 Pandaren players world-wide had to wait that long instead frankly.

I just hope we don't have to actually wait for 10.0, no matter what they said. They change their minds a lot, so I'm not convinced that it's really set in stone.

[Lahis]

Sounds about right.



I just hope we don't have to actually wait for 10.0, no matter what they said. They change their minds a lot, so I'm not convinced that it's really set in stone.

Why would they change their minds on this? Not doing more customization for next several expansions means less work for them.

Even financially, making whole new race (with OP racials) will make more money from race changes than adding new stuff to existing races.

[Varodoc]

Sounds about right.
I just hope we don't have to actually wait for 10.0, no matter what they said. They change their minds a lot, so I'm not convinced that it's really set in stone.

I'd settle for a simple option that removes the tentacles from the hairstyles that have them, if they really can't be bothered to come up with anything new.

Normal-looking skin tones with tentacle hair simply don't look good. They look dumb. You either embrace the Void-y look of Void elves or you embrace the Human-y look of Void elves, there's no middle ground.

More hair colours would also be appreciated. The azure/grey hair colour with the pale skin looks good, as does the pink/purple hair colour with the more tanned skin. But again these options are very limited.

[Davidor]

I'm loving all this artwork!

[MyWholeLifeIsThunder]

Why would they change their minds on this? Not doing more customization for next several expansions means less work for them.

Even financially, making whole new race (with OP racials) will make more money from race changes than adding new stuff to existing races.

I do think it also has to do with keeping a level of investment with the playerbase; like how AR and DK's were unlocked before their expansions. In as much, expanded customization for AR's could come even before the next exp pre-launch, specially if it serves to expand not only on their aesthetics, but background.

Not entirely likely, but I could see it happening; overall, I do think we will have a final patch new feature as AR's were for Legion and DK's for BfA. What I am less certain is if AR customization expansion would be it.

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Well, not sure. I'm actually way more interested in worgen now. New options and model rework from late BfA made them way more likeable option for me. New options have always potential to make race more popular.

I agree with you that some races are niche archetypes which will most likely never be as popular as more general and neutral archetypes like humans, orcs, elves... But it's not a reason to deny them development.

Prioritizing Races customization based on popularity would be bound to create deep resentments within the playerbase and would frankly be ridiculous. Sure prioritizing VE's over core races like Gnomes and Pandaren would have not created any backlash lol!

[Lahis]

I do think it also has to do with keeping a level of investment with the playerbase; like how AR and DK's were unlocked before their expansions. In as much, expanded customization for AR's could come even before the next exp pre-launch, specially if it serves to expand not only on their aesthetics, but background.

Not entirely likely, but I could see it happening; overall, I do think we will have a final patch new feature as AR's were for Legion and DK's for BfA. What I am less certain is if AR customization expansion would be it.

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Prioritizing Races customization based on popularity would be bound to create deep resentments within the playerbase and would frankly be ridiculous. Sure prioritizing VE's over core races like Gnomes and Pandaren would have not created any backlash lol!

Well VE already got better deal than Pandaren. They got what, 2 more hairstyles?

[Lastgope]

Of course. But still, it bothers me that I have to wait until 10.0 for new customization options for Void elves. I'd prefer if the 30 Pandaren players world-wide had to wait that long instead frankly.

I know your being fictitious but Pandaren are more played then you think. Sure they will never be to the level of the "Pretty Races" but back when wowcensus was a thing, there was more Pandaren players then several of the lower end core races.

Prioritizing races by popularity isn't the smartest way.

[Varodoc]

I know your being fictitious but Pandaren are more played then you think. Sure they will never be to the level of the "Pretty Races" but back when wowcensus was a thing, there was more Pandaren players then several of the lower end core races.

Yeah back in 2012 maybe.

Prioritizing races by popularity isn't the smartest way.

That's literally what they have done anyway so Compare the new options humans got to the new options pandaren got, there's no comparison to be made.

[FossilFree]

Why would they change their minds on this? Not doing more customization for next several expansions means less work for them.

Even financially, making whole new race (with OP racials) will make more money from race changes than adding new stuff to existing races.

I think it's debatable which would make more money. I know I personally spent a lot of money for 6 race changes when the new customization options were released. I would probably do the same for my Allied Race characters if they got a pass.

I'd settle for a simple option that removes the tentacles from the hairstyles that have them, if they really can't be bothered to come up with anything new.

Normal-looking skin tones with tentacle hair simply don't look good. They look dumb. You either embrace the Void-y look of Void elves or you embrace the Human-y look of Void elves, there's no middle ground.

More hair colours would also be appreciated. The azure/grey hair colour with the pale skin looks good, as does the pink/purple hair colour with the more tanned skin. But again these options are very limited.

They should add a tentacle to braids swap option. It could just be a checkbox in the barber window.

I think the problem with their hair is everything has some shade of blue or purple. Even their "redhead" is more purple than anything, and their black is more of a dark blue. I think they could easily get some new colors without even trampling on Blood Elves at all. Jet black, ghostly white, pink, starcursed (like the mount/heritage armor glass), and some desaturated earth tones (brown/blonde/red) would all be welcome additions. Desaturated would make them look different from the Blood Elf ones, and match the theme that Void Elves have with their other hair colors being washed out.

[Ardenaso]

does anyone know where I can get the Silver Covenant Tabard texture files?

I'm going to apply the texture to this tabard:

[FlubberPuddy]

Prioritizing races by popularity isn't the smartest way.

It may not be smartest but it is most efficient. Blizzard (Ely Canon specifically) has said such in an interview, that they gave more customizations to the more popular races. Which makes sense since they've spoken a lot about having limited time/resources, so ofc they gotta put them where they reach the greatest audience.

Do note that Pandaren still did get a decent chunk of options despite player metrics showing they're 'least played' (I actually don't think they're least played, I think they're about the same level as the other least popular races).