RobG
Insider
I think different races in a character creation tend to be a bit contrived in RPG's. What I mean it I pick elf or dwarf or whatever in probably about 90% of RPG's at the char creation stage, it gives a small usually passive buff, changes my ears or my height and the odd NPC says urgh I hate elves, and that is about the extent of how much it ever matters gameplay wise.
What I think would be cool is if there was just 'human' for the player character, but the small things you change make a difference within the game, ie a very short character, mocked by npc's a bit crapper in combat, but able to squeeze through a gap in a cave no other character can, or an old character being weaker, maybe dulled sense or sight or hearing, but commands more respect from the younger npc's and more worldly wise than a younger, fitter PC somehow. Fatter characters able to drink more ale than most etc etc.
NPC's reacting to the fact you are a woman or being invited into the cult of baldness or join the ginger haired assassins or whatever. Starting with a certain colour skin will mean you start in this certain area of the map maybe stuff like that. I think this would make for more interesting characters and for me at least make replay ability as different variations more appealing, as mostly in an RPG I would just pick whatever race fits with my class the best because it matters so little, and its rare I replay through with different races in most RPG's cause its so pointless.
Hopefully you see what I'm getting at. Exanima is already doing this to a degree what with height strength and weight making such a difference to how you fight, I just hope that kinda thing is expanded on, and more seemingly negative traits or neutral traits, have unexpected (or expected but relevant) perks and maybe even visa versa "Humm you look like a strong young warrior, want to go and kill Xardos the barbarian for us in the tar pits of Certaindeathvale?" kinda thing. I hope for this sort of thing, more than I hope for a 'race button' on character creation anyway. That is my 2 cents.
What I think would be cool is if there was just 'human' for the player character, but the small things you change make a difference within the game, ie a very short character, mocked by npc's a bit crapper in combat, but able to squeeze through a gap in a cave no other character can, or an old character being weaker, maybe dulled sense or sight or hearing, but commands more respect from the younger npc's and more worldly wise than a younger, fitter PC somehow. Fatter characters able to drink more ale than most etc etc.
NPC's reacting to the fact you are a woman or being invited into the cult of baldness or join the ginger haired assassins or whatever. Starting with a certain colour skin will mean you start in this certain area of the map maybe stuff like that. I think this would make for more interesting characters and for me at least make replay ability as different variations more appealing, as mostly in an RPG I would just pick whatever race fits with my class the best because it matters so little, and its rare I replay through with different races in most RPG's cause its so pointless.
Hopefully you see what I'm getting at. Exanima is already doing this to a degree what with height strength and weight making such a difference to how you fight, I just hope that kinda thing is expanded on, and more seemingly negative traits or neutral traits, have unexpected (or expected but relevant) perks and maybe even visa versa "Humm you look like a strong young warrior, want to go and kill Xardos the barbarian for us in the tar pits of Certaindeathvale?" kinda thing. I hope for this sort of thing, more than I hope for a 'race button' on character creation anyway. That is my 2 cents.
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