In the cinematic for each expansion pack inFinal Fantasy 14, players have watched the iconic Warrior of Light go through many challenges, and his appearance has changed to grow more rugged and intense. InEndwalker, players will finally be able to give their characters the stubble he has grown over the last seven years.
Back in 2019, during the release of the final patch beforeFinal Fantasy 14’scritically-acclaimedShadowbringersexpansion, players noticed the hero in the trailer seemed to have stubble that was currently unavailable in game. Gamer Escape asked Naoki Yoshida, director and producer ofFinal Fantasy 14, in an interview if he had any plans to add it or other new character customization options in the future.
I see… honestly I wasn’t even aware of this! (laughs)
In our trailers, we depict the Warrior of Light as a sort of symbol to represent the Warriors of Light around the world. If he has stubble, it’s only natural that everyone else could grow some too… I will definitely keep this in mind!
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Content creators who participated in the Media Tour discovered manyexciting details of what’s coming inEndwalker, not the least among them being the new face option for male hyur midlanders, and with it, the ability to have the five o’clock shadow that was promised to them. Beyond the inclusion of new playable races and hairstyles, this is the first instance ofFinal Fantasy 14adding a new character customization option to existing races in the game’s history.
As anyone who pays attention to MMORPGs can attest, character customization options are incredibly important to players. Last year,World of Warcraftincluded many new customization optionsthat allowed them to provide more inclusive options for characters, and though incomplete in its execution, the additions were universally considered to be positive. Fans ofFinal Fantasy 14have mixed opinions on the character customizations available in the game as of right now, so an expanded and improved system could only benefit the game.
Final Fantasy 14fans are excited for what this new customization could mean for the future of character customization in the game. If the addition of this new face and stubble is indicative ofFinal Fantasy 14’sintention to add more options for characters in the game, players could eventually see new faces or even more drastic customizations, like separate horn and face options for the scaled au ra or new subrace options that would allow for half-elezen or garlean characters. Many players hope this could eventually lead tomore inclusive options forFinal Fantasy 14characters.
Still, many players are disappointed in how limited the optionFinal Fantasy 14has included so far is. Right now, it is only available to a single face for male midlander hyurs–not even the burly highlander hyurs can access it. Players hope to see the option expanded to the other playable races in the game, and possibly even to female characters as well. WhileFinal Fantasy 14has a great reputation of listening to players, like with thesurprise inclusion of male viera inEndwalkerand the promise of female hrothgar in the future, fans of the game will have to wait and see when and if other options will be added to the game.
Final Fantasy 14is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.Endwalkerlaunches on November 23.
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