Faction Aesthetics: Enough to Skip an MMORPG Sequel?

With the impending release of Aion 2, NCSoft has been providing more details about the game. In a recent stream, they discussed changes coming to the MMORPG, including an adjustment to the appearance of one of the main factions. This revolves around the Asmodian appearance, which aims to move away from the traditional “good vs. evil” trope, as stated back in May.

This suggests a shift away from the “monster” traits associated with the Asmodian race, such as claws and bluish-grey skin. Interestingly, I never interpreted the original appearance as inherently evil, nor the Elyos as inherently good. Lore-wise, the Elyos often came across as self-righteous.

For me, the differences in appearance highlighted the environmental factors: one group thriving in light, the other surviving in darkness due to the physical division of the world and the constant conflict preventing the Asmodians from experiencing sunlight.

Neither faction was inherently “good” or “bad,” just individuals navigating their circumstances. The “evil” appearance traits of the Asmodians simply reflected their adaptation to their harsh environment.

And it’s worth noting that the Asmodian territories in the original game were often stunningly beautiful.

Therefore, I’m somewhat disappointed by the potential homogenization of the Asmodians’ appearance to resemble the Elyos more closely. As previously mentioned, I’ll reserve judgment until I see the final result. It’s just a game, after all. However, this change could significantly impact my desire to play.

The rationale behind this decision is unclear. Perhaps it stems from audience surveys or regional aesthetic preferences. However, I was drawn to the Asmodians partly due to their distinct appearance. It’s a personal preference. While I’m not one for playing orcs, I tend to gravitate towards races with non-human traits. In Final Fantasy XIV, I’ve primarily played as an Au’ra, specifically a Xaela (those with dark horns and scales, often appearing grey or blue, sometimes red or other dark colors). I’m often drawn to draconic races, those with scales, tails, or unique eyes.

The prospect of not being able to create what I consider a “proper” Asmodian diminishes my enthusiasm for Aion 2.

On a positive note, the team is promising a robust character creation system akin to the original Aion, allowing for chibi characters and extensive customization. Reportedly, players will have around 200 different customizable options.

This is genuinely exciting! Perhaps these extensive options will allow players to recreate the original Aion Asmodian aesthetic. This would satisfy those of us who appreciate the “evil” look, though it might complicate faction identification in PvP without clear indicators.

Ultimately, I wonder how many original Aion players might skip this sequel due to this particular change. Sequels inevitably involve changes, such as mechanics (which can be a deal-breaker), optimization, or graphical updates to leverage new technology. However, altering the core aesthetic of a defined faction feels different. That being said, any potential losses could be offset by attracting players who were previously deterred by the original aesthetic. Only time will tell.