3855 réponses à ce sujet

[Harle Cerulean]

I have a couple of issues with the argument presented that it's better to have a set-race PC whose race is more involved in the game than a couple of passing lines, than it is to have racial options whose only difference is background, appearance, and those couple of lines:

First, you can easily make that same argument to justify having only a single sex of PC. Putting aside that yes, Bioware has said not having sex options isn't happening, the fact is, that argument would work exactly the same for sex. The only difference between a male and female Hawke is appearance and a couple of lines; DA:O had a few more differences, but those came down to who you could romance, and who was going to get Morrigan pregnant. So really, why have the option if it's not going to be meaningful?

The answer there is that it's meaningful simply by existing, and IMO, so are racial options.

The other problem with the argument that I have is that you are effectively arguing against ever playing as anything other than human in any Dragon Age game in the future, which vastly reduces options. Bioware is never going to make a game without the potential to play as human, and they are never going to make what amounts to two to four different games based on what race you choose.

So by saying, "Well, if they don't do it in a way that I consider to be meaningful, they shouldn't do it at all," you re cutting out a huge number of narratives that could be excellent roleplaying opportunities, and opening up other issues.

For example, if, in some future game, the protagonist were to rediscover Arlathan and restore the elves' ancient homeland to them, it would be horrible not to be allowed to do this as an elf if you so chose. In addition to the fact that it would be so much more meaningful to an elven PC, even without the game going into depth about the difference, having a human be the only one who could rediscover Arlathan would feel uncomfortably like the Great White Savior trope, only substituting 'human' for 'white'. In this case, a fixed race human PC would be bad. Any plot involving bettering the situation of the elves would have this issue, in fact - so if the devs wanted to skip this insulting and overused trope, they would simply have to avoid dealing with the elves at all. Is that a good thing? Hell no.

In short, yes, I can understand in some cases why a particular focused story, like Hawke's, might need to not have racial selection. But 'because they can't make it different ENOUGH' isn't a good reason.

(Also, due to sick animals at home, I haven't had more than three hours sleep in a night for almost a week, so if I'm difficult to understand/rambling/all over the map with my reasoning, please forgive me. Not my best time to be trying to talk about things.)

[Shya]

I'm the type that will play throu games on each class and race given. Being human doesn't bother me. For me it's all in the writing.

[BeauRoger]

Im happy about a human protagonist. Sure, i wouldnt mind if there were more races, but i would still pick human, since.. well i am human. I love to explore the cultures of other races in games like these, but id like to do it through the eyes of a human.

[Sutekh]

Fast Jimmy wrote...

^

In regards to the whole conversation about not having non-humans in the Inquisition... if it turns out it can't be the case, then will none of our companions be non-humans?

In DA:O, not every member of our party was a Warden, but given that it sounds like we will operating within the Inquisition's jurisdiction, instead of just being a lone wolf, then would they be willing to just let an agent of their's working primarily with people who would not make the Inquisition's "cut?"

Good point. But Bioware has been known to discreetly forget about that kind of limitations (e.g. none of the Warden's companions end up tainted, despite being in Darkspawn close vicinity more often than not). Although in this case, it would be quite the slap in the face to have a non-human companion(s) if Inquisition is the reason.

This said, I honestly don't think it is, but actually I'm not comfortable going into specific "could / couldn't fit in because of this and that" because everything at this point is pure speculation.

--

@Harle: I don't know if you're addressing what I'm saying, but just in case, I'm not arguing that races should have more specific content or not be proposed at all. I usually don't need my elves to be acknowledged at all to feel their elvishness (elvenhood? elvenity?). All the points you've made are very good ones, and I agree. My problem is Thedas specific; more related to the world than the character. A race-blind Thedas wouldn't be Thedas anymore. I also have a problem with completely humanizing non-humans just so they fit no matter the price (background, appearance). I also realise it's a purist point of view.

(And I hope your animals get  better)

--

@Yumichika: The Renegade thing was just an example. I have no idea of the real reasons why we can't play a non-human. All I'm saying is that since Bioware has already chosen this route, then I'd rather they do it well and stay true to the story they want to tell and the world they've created. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't have preferred a plot allowing me to play a non-human (because I really, really would), but what's done is done.

[Sil]

I'm happy for just a Human protagonist again, I enjoyed Commander Shepard, and I enjoyed Hawke, so I trust Bioware to make another decent main character.

[tiberius_adamantine]

Sutekh wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

Special forces recruit primarily based on skill and not race. Howe's death squad had non-humans, antivan crows have non-humans, tallis is a non-human qunari assassain, grey wardens have all races, mercenaries and criminals can have non-humans. Having the right skills is all it would take to have a non-human in the inquisition. A special forces group might also recuit non-humans because racial tension and mistrust does exist so there are certain problems which might be better handled by a non-human.

It very much depends on what exactly is the Inquisition. Since we know very little about it, there's no point in arguing whether or not a non-human could fit in. We also don't know if the Inquisition in itself is the reason for human-only, plot-wise.

But, for the sake of discussion and as an example, let's say the Inquisition is strongly tied to the Chantry. Then you couldn't have Dalish, because their hatred of the Chantry is deep and ancient. Or it would have to be a renegade Dalish, but then the problem would be that this very particular, special background would be forced on the player, who would then be unable to roleplay their Dalish the way they want to (same goes with "the protag was adopted by humans").

Consider both actual Inquisitions (the first one and the Spanish one), or the historical Templars. You couldn't have moors or jewish there, even as main soldiers, because they were strongly founded on Catholic principles. Or any intelligence agency, or even law enforcement, which first requirement is nationality.

In Thedas, you have the Legion of the Dead, who, despite its motto "The legion accept all", only accept dwarves. Loghain's Night Elves (The Stolen Throne) is only made of... elves.

Just examples, but there are many special forces who are quite selective and need more than skill to recruit. Not all of them are made of mercenaries.

Also, what is Howe's death squad?

The Inquisition is not tied to the chantry, if it were our character would be forced to be religious but I have heard that they will not force that on you this time. The Inquisitors are more akin to the specters of mass effect. I believe that it was stated in game informer that your goal is to maintain stability using any method deemed necessary. This is why they have talked about using political and manipulative processes to handle situations as you see fit. The example i read was being able to stop fighting in Teventer or increasing the tension. And although non-humans don't appear to be in mainstream militaries as much, they are present in any other grouping. That is because even though the mainstream might discriminate against them, everyone else has a multitude of reasons for allowing non-humans to join, every race has strengths and weaknesses after all. So I don't believe you would be a dalish elf in the sense that you grew up in a traveling clan but there is no reason you couldn't be any race that you want because each would seem plausible. If you want minor examples I can provide them but i doubt that would be neccessary.

Finally to answer your last question Howe's death squad was the group responsible for killing many grey warden supporters in DAO. They put up posters asking supporters to go to the pearl where they would be ambushed. The group consisted of three warriors, a human, an elf, and a qunari.

[Sutekh]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

The Inquisition is not tied to the chantry

Never said it was. It was just an example of how special forces isn't always a fit-them-all thing where only skills matter, and how it could happen in DA:I 

This is why I'm not comfortable discussing specific plot points, btw. We know very little about them right now, so arguing Chantry this or that is pointless. e.g. In this case, the Inquisition is probably not tied to the Chantry (for the reasons you give), but we don't know for sure.

Finally to answer your last question Howe's death squad was the group responsible for killing many grey warden supporters in DAO. They put up posters asking supporters to go to the pearl where they would be ambushed. The group consisted of three warriors, a human, an elf, and a qunari.

Thanks. Just spent some time wondering who the hell they were because I didn't make the connection. And there's two Qunari

[Sylvius the Mad]

Sil wrote...

I'm happy for just a Human protagonist again, I enjoyed Commander Shepard, and I enjoyed Hawke, so I trust Bioware to make another decent main character.

Making the main character is not their job.

It is your job.

[XX-Pyro]

Sylvius the Mad wrote...

Sil wrote...

I'm happy for just a Human protagonist again, I enjoyed Commander Shepard, and I enjoyed Hawke, so I trust Bioware to make another decent main character.

Making the main character is not their job.

It is your job.

Writing a story isn't my job though, it's their job. 

Modifié par XX-Pyro, 07 février 2013 - 11:20 .

[tiberius_adamantine]

XX-Pyro wrote...

Sylvius the Mad wrote...

Sil wrote...

I'm happy for just a Human protagonist again, I enjoyed Commander Shepard, and I enjoyed Hawke, so I trust Bioware to make another decent main character.

Making the main character is not their job.

It is your job.

Writing a story isn't my job though, it's their job. 

yes and they can maintain their story but they dont have to confine us to do it. Storywise Bioware has no reason to deny us racial selection. The story would not benefit in any way by confining us to humans only, in fact the story actually suffers because it denies us the freedom and role-playing elements of the first game. Based how DAO, DA2, and the ME series was percieved Bioware should give us what we want and revisit what was done in DAO.

[XX-Pyro]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

Sylvius the Mad wrote...

Sil wrote...

I'm happy for just a Human protagonist again, I enjoyed Commander Shepard, and I enjoyed Hawke, so I trust Bioware to make another decent main character.

Making the main character is not their job.

It is your job.

Writing a story isn't my job though, it's their job. 

yes and they can maintain their story but they dont have to confine us to do it. Storywise Bioware has no reason to deny us racial selection. The story would not benefit in any way by confining us to humans only, in fact the story actually suffers because it denies us the freedom and role-playing elements of the first game. Based how DAO, DA2, and the ME series was percieved Bioware should give us what we want and revisit what was done in DAO.

Wow, you can tell me how DA:I goes then and I won't even have to buy the game, since you know exactly how the story is going to go. PM me the spoilers you've got please!

[tiberius_adamantine]

XX-Pyro wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

Sylvius the Mad wrote...

Sil wrote...

I'm happy for just a Human protagonist again, I enjoyed Commander Shepard, and I enjoyed Hawke, so I trust Bioware to make another decent main character.

Making the main character is not their job.

It is your job.

Writing a story isn't my job though, it's their job. 

yes and they can maintain their story but they dont have to confine us to do it. Storywise Bioware has no reason to deny us racial selection. The story would not benefit in any way by confining us to humans only, in fact the story actually suffers because it denies us the freedom and role-playing elements of the first game. Based how DAO, DA2, and the ME series was percieved Bioware should give us what we want and revisit what was done in DAO.

Wow, you can tell me how DA:I goes then and I won't even have to buy the game, since you know exactly how the story is going to go. PM me the spoilers you've got please!

I don't need to give you spoilers. Review what was discussed in the game informer issues, read online what they've offered to the public, and if you spend enough time on the forums review what they have said. A challenge i would pose to you it to name one good reason for not allowing racial selection, other than that the company might save an extremely small margin in money. If Bioware allows us racial selection they will gain more preorders and buyers, and the increased satisfaction would benefit their image which is in jeapordy right now. Bioware we buy your games because we want good games that make the most out of role-playing choices and options. The more you try to take these options away from us the more you are pushing us away. We have a symbiotic relationship with each other, don't break our trust.

[XX-Pyro]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

Sylvius the Mad wrote...

Sil wrote...

I'm happy for just a Human protagonist again, I enjoyed Commander Shepard, and I enjoyed Hawke, so I trust Bioware to make another decent main character.

Making the main character is not their job.

It is your job.

Writing a story isn't my job though, it's their job. 

yes and they can maintain their story but they dont have to confine us to do it. Storywise Bioware has no reason to deny us racial selection. The story would not benefit in any way by confining us to humans only, in fact the story actually suffers because it denies us the freedom and role-playing elements of the first game. Based how DAO, DA2, and the ME series was percieved Bioware should give us what we want and revisit what was done in DAO.

Wow, you can tell me how DA:I goes then and I won't even have to buy the game, since you know exactly how the story is going to go. PM me the spoilers you've got please!

I don't need to give you spoilers. Review what was discussed in the game informer issues, read online what they've offered to the public, and if you spend enough time on the forums review what they have said. A challenge i would pose to you it to name one good reason for not allowing racial selection, other than that the company might save an extremely small margin in money. If Bioware allows us racial selection they will gain more preorders and buyers, and the increased satisfaction would benefit their image which is in jeapordy right now. Bioware we buy your games because we want good games that make the most out of role-playing choices and options. The more you try to take these options away from us the more you are pushing us away. We have a symbiotic relationship with each other, don't break our trust.

I'm sure your business plan is much better than Bioware/EA's analysts, thanks for the input. I'd like for it to return too, but I don't make up baseless arguments for it.

[tiberius_adamantine]

XX-Pyro wrote...

I'm sure your business plan is much better than Bioware/EA's analysts, thanks for the input. I'd like for it to return too, but I don't make up baseless arguments for it.

Many people have already expressed their displeasure with Bioware because of choices that they made. You call my argument baseless even though you obviously have no reason to dispute it. They are wanting to deny racial selection because they want to, not because most of their players want it that way. As I pointed out before, from a story perspective they still have no reason for wanting to do this as the main storyline wouldn't have to change. Unless you can offer any meaningful reasons against what I am suggesting there is no reason to call my arguments "baseless".

[XX-Pyro]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

I'm sure your business plan is much better than Bioware/EA's analysts, thanks for the input. I'd like for it to return too, but I don't make up baseless arguments for it.

Many people have already expressed their displeasure with Bioware because of choices that they made. You call my argument baseless even though you obviously have no reason to dispute it. They are wanting to deny racial selection because they want to, not because most of their players want it that way. As I pointed out before, from a story perspective they still have no reason for wanting to do this as the main storyline wouldn't have to change. Unless you can offer any meaningful reasons against what I am suggesting there is no reason to call my arguments "baseless".

You really think they don't include racial selection because they want to spite players? Take the tinfoil hat off man.

[tiberius_adamantine]

XX-Pyro wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

I'm sure your business plan is much better than Bioware/EA's analysts, thanks for the input. I'd like for it to return too, but I don't make up baseless arguments for it.

Many people have already expressed their displeasure with Bioware because of choices that they made. You call my argument baseless even though you obviously have no reason to dispute it. They are wanting to deny racial selection because they want to, not because most of their players want it that way. As I pointed out before, from a story perspective they still have no reason for wanting to do this as the main storyline wouldn't have to change. Unless you can offer any meaningful reasons against what I am suggesting there is no reason to call my arguments "baseless".

You really think they don't include racial selection because they want to spite players? Take the tinfoil hat off man.

I said that is the choice they want to make, i didn't say it was for spite. Rather it is because they like an idea that they have and they aren't considering all the reasons why that idea is wrong for the story. Bioware needs to know that this a major mistake on their part and they have no reason to not allow racial selection.

[XX-Pyro]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

I'm sure your business plan is much better than Bioware/EA's analysts, thanks for the input. I'd like for it to return too, but I don't make up baseless arguments for it.

Many people have already expressed their displeasure with Bioware because of choices that they made. You call my argument baseless even though you obviously have no reason to dispute it. They are wanting to deny racial selection because they want to, not because most of their players want it that way. As I pointed out before, from a story perspective they still have no reason for wanting to do this as the main storyline wouldn't have to change. Unless you can offer any meaningful reasons against what I am suggesting there is no reason to call my arguments "baseless".

You really think they don't include racial selection because they want to spite players? Take the tinfoil hat off man.

I said that is the choice they want to make, i didn't say it was for spite. Rather it is because they like an idea that they have and they aren't considering all the reasons why that idea is wrong for the story. Bioware needs to know that this a major mistake on their part and they have no reason to not allow racial selection.

While this is a possibility, I highly doubt it. I trust their reasons being for story reasons, and casting 6 voice actors is probably a lot more expensive than you seem to give credit for. 

[tiberius_adamantine]

XX-Pyro wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

XX-Pyro wrote...

I'm sure your business plan is much better than Bioware/EA's analysts, thanks for the input. I'd like for it to return too, but I don't make up baseless arguments for it.

Many people have already expressed their displeasure with Bioware because of choices that they made. You call my argument baseless even though you obviously have no reason to dispute it. They are wanting to deny racial selection because they want to, not because most of their players want it that way. As I pointed out before, from a story perspective they still have no reason for wanting to do this as the main storyline wouldn't have to change. Unless you can offer any meaningful reasons against what I am suggesting there is no reason to call my arguments "baseless".

You really think they don't include racial selection because they want to spite players? Take the tinfoil hat off man.

I said that is the choice they want to make, i didn't say it was for spite. Rather it is because they like an idea that they have and they aren't considering all the reasons why that idea is wrong for the story. Bioware needs to know that this a major mistake on their part and they have no reason to not allow racial selection.

While this is a possibility, I highly doubt it. I trust their reasons being for story reasons, and casting 6 voice actors is probably a lot more expensive than you seem to give credit for. 

Again, give me one good reason the story must have only a human protagonist. The DA universe is not the same as ME or Jade Empire. There are multiple races, they all matter, they all offer different roleplaying perspectives. Denying the selection doesn't help the story at all. And why would they need 6 voice actors for the protagonist? SWTOR offered multiple races for each story class that all used the same voice actors. Are you suggesting that they have to hire more people who sound more "elven" or "dwarven"? They have all the means to make this work, they just have to choose to.

[Heimdall]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...
Again, give me one good reason the story must have only a human protagonist. The DA universe is not the same as ME or Jade Empire. There are multiple races, they all matter, they all offer different roleplaying perspectives. Denying the selection doesn't help the story at all.

You have no grounds for saying that, neither do I have grounds for denying it.  Fact of the matter is that we don't have enough or any information at all on what the story may or may not permit.

[tiberius_adamantine]

Lord Aesir wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...
Again, give me one good reason the story must have only a human protagonist. The DA universe is not the same as ME or Jade Empire. There are multiple races, they all matter, they all offer different roleplaying perspectives. Denying the selection doesn't help the story at all.

You have no grounds for saying that, neither do I have grounds for denying it.  Fact of the matter is that we don't have enough or any information at all on what the story may or may not permit.

Its inheritantly understood that having options is better than having no options at all. There is no reason that the story would have to restrict racial options. Bioware would have to really work at it just to make it plausible that the hero could only be human. Why bother creating so many restricting factors just to further restrict us when they could just allow us what we want? As noted already they have told us that the origin of our character will only be referenced instead of being played through, so its not as if Bioware would have to add a lot of new content just to give us the choice. If Bioware decides to ignore us and use only a human protagonist, it won't be to benefit the story.

Modifié par tiberius_adamantine, 08 février 2013 - 01:43 .

[XX-Pyro]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

Lord Aesir wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...
Again, give me one good reason the story must have only a human protagonist. The DA universe is not the same as ME or Jade Empire. There are multiple races, they all matter, they all offer different roleplaying perspectives. Denying the selection doesn't help the story at all.

You have no grounds for saying that, neither do I have grounds for denying it.  Fact of the matter is that we don't have enough or any information at all on what the story may or may not permit.

Its inheritantly understood that having options is better than having no options at all. There is no reason that the story would have to restrict racial options. Bioware would have to really work at it just to make it plausible that the hero could only be human. Why bother creating so many restricting factors just to further restrict us when they could just allow us what we want? As noted already they have told us that the origin of our character will only be referenced instead of being played through, so its not as if Bioware would have to add a lot of new content just to give us the choice. If Bioware decides to ignore us and use only a human protagonist, it won't be to benefit the story.

How do you know the story makes sense being an elf? What if you commit an elfish genocide (/exalted march) and then move on to nuke the Dwarves because they are overpricing lyrium? If the story only makes sense as a human, then I'll play as a human until Bioware sees fit to bring back playable races (hopefully sooner rather than later.) This argument is pointless until after we've played the game, that's when we can argue whether or not the story makes sense with a protagonist that is not human.

[Heimdall]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...
Its inheritantly understood that having options is better than having no options at all. There is no reason that the story would have to restrict racial options. Bioware would have to really work at it just to make it plausible that the hero could only be human. Why bother creating so many restricting factors just to further restrict us when they could just allow us what we want? As noted already they have told us that the origin of our character will only be referenced instead of being played through, so its not as if Bioware would have to add a lot of new content just to give us the choice. If Bioware decides to ignore us and use only a human protagonist, it won't be to benefit the story.

Inheritantly, options are better than no options when those options make sense.  We don't know whether those options would make sense yet or what factors contribute to their restriction.  We also don't know what benefit those factors impart to the story in question.

In short, more data is required.

[tiberius_adamantine]

XX-Pyro wrote...

How do you know the story makes sense being an elf? What if you commit an elfish genocide (/exalted march) and then move on to nuke the Dwarves because they are overpricing lyrium? If the story only makes sense as a human, then I'll play as a human until Bioware sees fit to bring back playable races (hopefully sooner rather than later.) This argument is pointless until after we've played the game, that's when we can argue whether or not the story makes sense with a protagonist that is not human.

That is where you are wrong and actually proving a point of mine. It does matter because we should have a game that let's us choose our race. If we don't say anything about it then Bioware will simply use a human protagonist and we will be denied having a game which should have this choice. What good is it to see a problem that will occur but only remark about it after it has occured? It is better to prevent a problem when you still have time rather than just respond to it after the fact. As you pointed out it would take some very extreme elements to  make it only possible to play as a human. So again the only reason the character would have to be human is if Bioware writes in so many restraints that being non-human isn't possible. If they have then they can undo it, if they are thinking about it then they should stop, and everyone knows that they can because it has happended before. It makes no sense to restrict our options and thus the role-playing potential of the game deliberatly by writing in restraints when they can write short origin stories, which again are only referenced a few times so its not a lot on their part, and give us what we want.

Modifié par tiberius_adamantine, 08 février 2013 - 03:27 .

[Heimdall]

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

That is where you are wrong and actually proving a point of mine. It does matter because we should have a game that let's us choose our race. If we don't say anything about it then Bioware will simply use a human protagonist and we will be denied having a game which should have this choice. What good is it to see a problem that will occur but only remark about it after it has occured? It is better to prevent a problem when you still have time rather than just respond to it after the fact. As you pointed out it would take some very extreme elements to  make it only possible to play as a human. So again the only reason the character would have to be human is if Bioware writes in so many restraints that being non-human isn't possible. If they have then they can undo it, if they are thinking about it then they should stop, and everyone knows that they can because it has happended before. It makes no sense to restrict our options and thus the role-playing potential of the game deliberatly by writing in restraints when they can write short origin stories, which again are only referenced a few times so its not a lot on their part, and give us what we want.

that's where you're wrong.  You're making an oversimplified subjective argument.

"Race options are better than no race options"

In reality, I think most people would find this more agreeable.

"Race options are better than no race options in a context that acknowledges the lore treatment differences between the races and  a story that makes sense"

In a Blight as a Grey Warden, they created optimal circumstances for this.  I myself am not interested in race selection if it turns out to be little more than cosmetic.

Moreover, you make the assumption that they decided to create a single race protagonist and then wrote the story.  You have no way of knowing that.  Very likely, they might have roughed out the story outline and determined it would  work best with a human protagonist or that it was problematic for a non-human protagonist.

On origin stories, those are background options.  They are not necessarily a component of race selection at all.  The appeal of origin stories is in the ability to determine your character's background, as I saw it.  A human can do that, there are plenty of interesting plausible human backgrounds and we know we will have them, albeit in an unplayable form.

[tiberius_adamantine]

Lord Aesir wrote...

tiberius_adamantine wrote...

That is where you are wrong and actually proving a point of mine. It does matter because we should have a game that let's us choose our race. If we don't say anything about it then Bioware will simply use a human protagonist and we will be denied having a game which should have this choice. What good is it to see a problem that will occur but only remark about it after it has occured? It is better to prevent a problem when you still have time rather than just respond to it after the fact. As you pointed out it would take some very extreme elements to  make it only possible to play as a human. So again the only reason the character would have to be human is if Bioware writes in so many restraints that being non-human isn't possible. If they have then they can undo it, if they are thinking about it then they should stop, and everyone knows that they can because it has happended before. It makes no sense to restrict our options and thus the role-playing potential of the game deliberatly by writing in restraints when they can write short origin stories, which again are only referenced a few times so its not a lot on their part, and give us what we want.

that's where you're wrong.  You're making an oversimplified subjective argument.

"Race options are better than no race options"

In reality, I think most people would find this more agreeable.

"Race options are better than no race options in a context that acknowledges the lore treatment differences between the races and  a story that makes sense"

In a Blight as a Grey Warden, they created optimal circumstances for this.  I myself am not interested in race selection if it turns out to be little more than cosmetic.

Moreover, you make the assumption that they decided to create a single race protagonist and then wrote the story.  You have no way of knowing that.  Very likely, they might have roughed out the story outline and determined it would  work best with a human protagonist or that it was problematic for a non-human protagonist.

On origin stories, those are background options.  They are not necessarily a component of race selection at all.  The appeal of origin stories is in the ability to determine your character's background, as I saw it.  A human can do that, there are plenty of interesting plausible human backgrounds and we know we will have them, albeit in an unplayable form.

you think mine is oversimplified but you are looking for a reason that just isn't there. When writing a story you start with the beginning, i personally favor having a strong idea of where you are going but not eveyone does that. Point is, they want to use a human protagonist, there is no "the story doesn't make sense otherwise" or "we determined that after the story, not during or before". The truth is in front of you, you just don't want to see it. The only way that a human protagonist would be the only choice, is again if Bioware deliberately put in too many restraints. You can't claim that they didn't know that was going to happen because they would have no way of not knowing. If you are writing a story, and you realize an idea doesn't work for all races but decide to keep it anyway, then you are making a choice to deliberately limit your audience when you had other options.

The race selection wouldn't be purely cosmetic because we have already seen that race did make a difference in DAO. If you mean that there should be different quests or something based on race, that would only partially matter. If DAI has a quest dependant on origin in the same way as ME1, then yes it would change a bit but mostly we want different races to roleplay from their perspective, and that is what truly matters to me and those of us who thoroughly enjoy it. There is no reason to deny this choice and i have yet to hear anyone mention one. Having a few options for human background only is not appealing. We had ME, ME was set up that way because that was the only way it could be in the context of the entire game universe. DA has no such restriction. Not having the option when there is no reason that we shouldn't have the option just doesn't make sense. I keep trying to think of any plausible reason why we could only be human and there is none to be found.