28 Jul 2006 at 02:40 - 15
To be fair, I dont think its racism that motivates peoples wish for more ethnically diverse skin tones; after all, while its true that Tyrian is ostensibly European and Cantha Asian, both offer a wide spectrum of skin tones - Nightfall should be no different in this regard.
I would imagine that the limited selection is merely a consequence of the limited character options in general at this early stage (note the numbers of hair and facial designs). I would expect as development continues... at least I would hope for more; it seems a rather racist statement on ANets part to do otherwise, for both the communities not represented and the African-originated communities at once.
Are they saying that while African skin tones are worthy of being available everywhere, other ethnicities are not? On the flip side, are they saying that they feel a need for tokenism in Prophecies and Factions, a need that isnt needed with the localisation of Nightfall? between these two possibilities, I feel everyone is insulted, and thats just not cool.
You can make a, broadly-speaking, Afro-Carribean toned character in all campaigns, so why can you not make a Caucasian toned character with similar freedom? I just don't see this flying in the long term.
Unfortunately, this issue is a minefield, in which simple truths get obscured by peoples prejudices, insecurities and agendas making it difficult to discuss frankly in a publically accessible forum *looks disapprovingly at a post a few above, I dont think I need to be explicit as to which*
-Blame any incoherency on the time please, I really shouldnt be up typing while the sun is rising-