Hero companions should definitely have a unique look. At the moment they look like every other character from the character editor, interchangeable and boring I would almost say. They should stand out like Conan. For example, Liu Fei looks so incredibly boring and uninspired. It’s the same with Freya.
Why didn’t they make Liu Fei look darker and more dangerous?
Before this thread ends up in oblivion, I would like to take the opportunity to bring it up again. I specifically posted this thread in the beta forum to avoid possible spoilers. Maybe that’s why he got so little attention.
And since no one has written anything on the topic yet, I’m wondering: Do you care what the heroes look like? Do you just put a helmet on them or change their appearance with a mod?
My impression is that (apart from the many new animations) not a lot of graphical work went into this update (strange, now that the graphic designers who were previously working on Battle Pass Items have now been freed from it). There’s a new armor and a new sword and this strange plant. Did I miss something? It would have been nice if Freya got her own Aesir armor too. And of course I also regret (as explained in the opening post) that the two heroes didn’t get their own hairstyles and heads.
For me, this circumstance somehow diminishes the special nature of these “heroes”. The witch Hulda (sidecharacter) even seems so unimportant that her appearance varies.
If the topic really doesn’t interest you, I think it’s a shame. The graphic design of the new heroes is part of their appeal (at least for me and I really want to see more in them than just normal Thralls. Maybe that’s a problem I’m all alone with).
As a final word: Maybe the design of the heroes isn’t finished yet. At least in the artwork, Liu Fei has a different hairstyle. That gives a little hope!
Unfortunately, the artwork is rarely consistent with the game itself. I wouldn’t use that as an indicator. However, I agree, seeing new and unique looks for the heroes would be cool. Freya looks great in the art. Though, at least she doesn’t look like OG Freya anymore.
I have never encountered such a derailment.
I even believe that Freya’s appearance hasn’t changed at all. Which makes the whole thing even sadder. Little things like this make you realize that the money raised by the bazaar is used for other purposes.
Tbf… all of the T4 combat thralls looked like that at one time. Only the crafters looked normal, likely having something to do with being pre-programmed as slotted animations rather than true thralls.
Funny I used my paid ChatGPT for D-ALL E and put as much info as I could about Liu Fei and how he would look and this is what it came out with. Looks good if you ask me.
@Dark_Overlord I’m trying to do the same with Freya, but I’m having a harder time getting a written description of what she would look like. Her culture is based on ancient Norse culture, correct? Or maybe Scandinavian culture? So with all the info I could find here is the final Dis “” Freya’s appearance can be envisioned as a blend of Nordheimer culture and Valkyrie mythology, with a unique, striking look.
Her hair is a cherry-wine blonde, flowing like the wild northern winds, and her skin is pale like moonlight, reflecting the cold, harsh climates of her homeland. Her eyes are a piercing sky blue, resembling the crisp, clear northern skies, giving her a commanding yet mystical presence.
Her armor is heavily inspired by the Valkyries of Norse mythology, woven with traits of Nordheimer craftsmanship. The color scheme of her gear is predominantly shades of steel gray and deep blue, reflecting the cold and unforgiving landscape of her people. The helmets and weapons of the Nordheimers are known for their rugged simplicity yet durability, often crafted from iron and bronze. Her helmet might bear the graceful yet intimidating wing-like designs associated with the Valkyries, symbolizing both strength and protection.
Freya’s cape is crafted from the pelt of a white or Arctic wolf, showcasing her prowess as a warrior. The fur drapes over her shoulders, the texture adding a regal element to her battle-hardened appearance, while symbolizing her connection to nature and her fearlessness in combat. The cloak’s white hue stands out in contrast to her armor, further emphasizing her bravery and skill.
Her armor plating would also carry the engravings and patterns of Valkyrie legends, with subtle Nordheimer detailing that reflects her roots. The armor itself is a blend of functionality and beauty, with leather and fur trimmings providing additional protection against the harsh cold, while runic designs etched along the edges of the armor provide spiritual protection in battle.
Her weapons could be forged from steel, with long, double-edged swords or battle axes that are practical yet carry the elegance of Valkyrie craftsmanship. The weapons would be finely balanced, adorned with intricate carvings or runes that honor the gods of war and the spirits of fallen warriors.
Altogether, Freya’s look is one of elegance and power, combining the beauty of a Valkyrie with the strength and resilience of the Nordheimer people.“” This is what I got.
And, just to be the cynic, we all remember that some NPCs had a unique look until at some update, everyone then went on to look like one of the character creation looks.
So the fact that they look a certain way “now”, does not mean they will still look that way in the future.
Now that Funcom has introduced the Companions and shown their boring faces, the likelihood that they will get a visual upgrade is decreasing. Too bad. Once again wasted potential.
Of course, I have no insight into the workings at Funcom, but the people who were previously tasked with filling the Battle Pass could easily have been hired for 2 heads and 2 hairstyles.
While one thing has nothing to do with the other, it is like saying now that the cook is not cooking she can fix the washing machine, it is true that the work done in the companion stuff would be better served by improving the options of look and feel of thralls, and if people there really wanted to make “companions”, they should have elected to make a system in which we decide who the companions are.
The amount of theme park mechanics in this sandbox game is already astounding, but without mods and stuff, I can bet the thralls working better would benefit much more than a short story to get what essentially is a “thrall with special ability”, a “X men Thrall” so to speak.
A chef (graphic designer) who previously cooked fish dishes (Battle Pass) should now cook meat dishes (Other Graphical Aspects). You only come to the comparison with the washing machine if you want to prove something by force.
Of course, it may be that someone who has previously only designed and implemented furniture and armor has no skills for faces and hair. I’ll let that pass.
When you sound right by rhetoric, that does not mean you are right in practice. That is what we call “Ben Shapiro Rhetoric”, which consists in assuming if what you say makes sense in terms of saying it, it might make sense in terms of actual facts.
Contrary to what it was conveyed, the work in a team does not mean the team “all does it”, rather, there people who create the workflow, people who oversee the execution and people who audit the results.
While it might be the same people creating the workflow and auditing the results, the people who actually do the work might be different for OBVIOUSLY different tasks, so it does not matter that the lead or the coordinator are free to lead and coordinate if the team that DOES THE WORK is not there to do the work.
But, of course, those intricacies escape a lot of people who are not into “team work” and that is why when you asking for such a job, they will require and TEST if you really know what teamwork means.
Bonus fact: About Tencent.
Tencent is a framework building and tool developing company. It does not dictate what companies do with their games, just lend them know-how and tried tools to do a type of work, namely, monetization of games.
For that, the company receiving the work will tie Tencent to stake hold in its results, hence, selling a sizeable yet minor share.
Like for example, when you ask things in the forum, and you say “I did A, B and C and the system is giving me an error” and the stupid next door say “if it gives you errors is because you did not did A, B and C”. That is stupid answer, and solves or informs nothing. That does not prevent some popular stupid people to do that.
If I tie the person giving the advice to the profit the advice will bring, they will have a vested interest in that the advice does work.
And yes, I am talking about you person who gave me crap answer in the forums. Next time, just dont answer that will be more productive.
Oooh, that’s a fun naming game right there. What do we call it when someone who is obviously more of a management type (i.e. you) refuses to concede a valid point about engineering?
How about “Elon Musk Engineering”?
And yet, you need 3D artists for modeling, texturing, and shaders – among other things – for Battle Pass, and you need them for designing the appearance of heroes.
I’d like to see what you would do with the workflow you created, how you would oversee the execution, and what results you would audit in absence of people who execute the workflow and produce those results.
You know, people who do the actual content creation.
But of course, those intricacies escape a lot of people whose focus is on making sure their own management expertise is perceived as relevant.
Which is why they literally buy game development studios, right? Because that’s absolutely the best way to “lend know-how” to studios and provide their tools to them.
In case you missed it, Tencent bought Funcom.
That means they get to dictate the financial goals, at the very least. And if you think that doesn’t have any impact on the game development itself, you’re deluded.