Well, having never played ME as a male, I can't say I noticed. Can you describe it? The skeleton for male and female bodies is almost the same, but not quite, so do you just mean minor adjustments to keep the animation quality with a different skeleton (like races), or something actually different?
Arms. Male Shepard has his arms more spread out from his body, where female Shepard has them more close to her body. Hence why I said it's a very subtle difference which is really how it should be.
I'm never against more options, but I'm not exactly sure what that would consist of. Hip-sway or no hip-sway? Are there even many other differences at the moment? Do you have ideas?
I was thinking more along the lines of having it based off a personality trait. Sort of like how in DAO you could choose voice type even if you don't play that type of person. So for example have one that is Aggressive, Elegant, "Normal", Sultry, etc.
Arms. Male Shepard has his arms more spread out from his body, where female Shepard has them more close to her body. Hence why I said it's a very subtle difference which is really how it should be.
Huh. I don't really see the point of that though 
I was thinking more along the lines of having it based off a personality trait. Sort of like how in DAO you could choose voice type even if you don't play that type of person. So for example have one that is Aggressive, Elegant, "Normal", Sultry, etc.
That would be a really cool and subtle addition to roleplaying if they managed to make it work! After all, you can always revert to "normal". Also, it would be great to have in the Black Emporium options, since you might not want to be stuck with one style the whole game. If you wanted, you could even change it just for certain scenes (like romance scenes), or change it based on a significant event happening (like changing it to aggressive after a friend died). Sort of like people giving Hawke longer hair and more scars as time went on. Yes, yes. Do that, Bioware! 
Race and sex are important to character creation. If a game doesn't have that, its a deal breaker.
As long as I can make my sexy boy protagonist, then I'm good - so basically no dwarves(sorry dwarves) - either elf or human.
For me its less about the races exactly as it is about backgrounds/origins.
Having different origins/background gives me far greater replay value, and replay-ability is important in a game to me.
The Tabris and Aeducan origins aren't my favourate because I get to have pointy ears and be short respectively, they're my favourate because I find the culture and personal story immersive and entertaining, and because having multiple choice for where I come from really adds to my game experience.
So when I ask for race choice, I'm asking for the story of where they come from, to add to my character. eg. I'm asking for a background of a roving dailsh clan and all the culture and experiences it implies for my PC, not for pointy ears and face tattoos.
I want multiple backgrounds for the next game, and if I were presented with a choice between having multiple races with the exact same background or having one race with a detailed different origin for say, each class? I'd choose the later.
I chose "Would be nice but not a deal breaker"
I would prefer race selection because I really want to be able to be a Tal-Vashoth/Vashoth again. Walking around the Imperium as a Tal-Vashoth/Vashoth would imo make for some interesting game play and story.
I mean I enjoyed DA2 with Hawke and forced to play as a human. If there's a good story behind a set race, then I'm okay with it. However, I do hope it's not always human if a set race has to be chosen. I don't want a repeat of DA2 (oh god no).
A set race works for DAII because it's a much smaller story, and it works for ME because Shepard's humanity is so integral to the story and themes of the game. But a DAO or DAI style game with only human as an option? Wasted potential. I know lots of people prefer playing only humans, but I have a way more fun time getting to play anything but humans.
Aside from story reasons, I like having multiple race options because it allows me to play a protagonist who doesn't fit the usual skinny Hollywood bombshell look. I can play a qunari giant (even if her arms are still scrawny) or a cheeky dwarf. If Bioware ever actually offered a body slider and more options for a human protagonist, I might be more interested in playing a human. But all their human-focused games still only offer one body type each for men and women, anyway.
And yeah, like others have said, getting to play with different backgrounds is an important part of it, too. If we got humans with different meaningful backgrounds, I could also be into that.
It isn't simply about the backgrounds (I like to headcanon a lot of that anyway), it's about who they are and how the world reacts to them, and how they react to the world. My Surana was just "mage" and "elf" with virtually no background outside of being in the Circle (like the human mage). I had to create him nearly from scratch, and he's still my favorite protag as a result.
For me its less about the races exactly as it is about backgrounds/origins.
Having different origins/background gives me far greater replay value, and replay-ability is important in a game to me.
The Tabris and Aeducan origins aren't my favourate because I get to have pointy ears and be short respectively, they're my favourate because I find the culture and personal story immersive and entertaining, and because having multiple choice for where I come from really adds to my game experience.
So when I ask for race choice, I'm asking for the story of where they come from, to add to my character. eg. I'm asking for a background of a roving dailsh clan and all the culture and experiences it implies for my PC, not for pointy ears and face tattoos.
I want multiple backgrounds for the next game, and if I were presented with a choice between having multiple races with the exact same background or having one race with a detailed different origin for say, each class? I'd choose the later.
Actually race selection in DA:I didn't really fit for me. Hard enough to imagine a Mage or an Elf as an "socially acceptable" Inquisitor - but a Qunari, or Dwarf??????.... That was a real big stretch in terms of suspending disbelief....
I would prefer limiting the race selection to one or two races that make sense in the context of the story. Have an Elf protagonist if the story is about an Elven uprising. Don't really want to see an Eleven Revolution being led by a Dwarf or a Human....Have the option to play an Elven Revolutionist or a Human antagonist set to quash the rebellion for example. So a choice of two races that make sense in the context of the story.
Race selection for the sake of race selection doesn't make sense to me. I do believe that there are few, if any, games that offer race selection that have the depth of story, lore and relationships that Bioware has. Trying to create dialogue and game differences for four races takes a heck of a lot of resources that I personally would prefer to see invested in other areas (hair styles for example ...LOL 
Actually race selection in DA:I didn't really fit for me. Hard enough to imagine a Mage or an Elf as an "socially acceptable" Inquisitor - but a Qunari, or Dwarf??????.... That was a real big stretch in terms of suspending disbelief....
I would prefer limiting the race selection to one or two races that make sense in the context of the story. Have an Elf protagonist if the story is about an Elven uprising. Don't really want to see an Eleven Revolution being led by a Dwarf or a Human....Have the option to play an Elven Revolutionist or a Human antagonist set to quash the rebellion for example. So a choice of two races that make sense in the context of the story.
Race selection for the sake of race selection doesn't make sense to me. I do believe that there are few, if any, games that offer race selection that have the depth of story, lore and relationships that Bioware has. Trying to create dialogue and game differences for four races takes a heck of a lot of resources that I personally would prefer to see invested in other areas (hair styles for example ...LOL
I find being an elf or mage inquisitor more interesting personly, since you can try to be a role model for such and gain the trust of the mass. Playing a normal human is just boring for me.
I would prefer limiting the race selection to one or two races that make sense in the context of the story. Have an Elf protagonist if the story is about an Elven uprising. Don't really want to see an Eleven Revolution being led by a Dwarf or a Human....Have the option to play an Elven Revolutionist or a Human antagonist set to quash the rebellion for example. So a choice of two races that make sense in the context of the story.
I know that's just an example, but choosing race can't make moral decisions for you, especially on the scale of "help or crush this revolution". I want more hair though
If Bioware does not want to make hair, at least keep the messy bob, as it's like one of the very few hair styles that is even close to being good.
Oh well, hopefully they keep the scars.
Actually race selection in DA:I didn't really fit for me. Hard enough to imagine a Mage or an Elf as an "socially acceptable" Inquisitor - but a Qunari, or Dwarf??????.... That was a real big stretch in terms of suspending disbelief....
I would prefer limiting the race selection to one or two races that make sense in the context of the story. Have an Elf protagonist if the story is about an Elven uprising. Don't really want to see an Eleven Revolution being led by a Dwarf or a Human....Have the option to play an Elven Revolutionist or a Human antagonist set to quash the rebellion for example. So a choice of two races that make sense in the context of the story.
Race selection for the sake of race selection doesn't make sense to me. I do believe that there are few, if any, games that offer race selection that have the depth of story, lore and relationships that Bioware has. Trying to create dialogue and game differences for four races takes a heck of a lot of resources that I personally would prefer to see invested in other areas (hair styles for example ...LOL
I know that's just an example, but choosing race can't make moral decisions for you, especially on the scale of "help or crush this revolution". I want more hair though
Yeah something like a slave rebellion with the choice between elf and human since they make up the majority of slaves, dwarf and qunari slaves would be a lot more rare, and they could have more race specific dialogue if they only do 2 races.
I will not buy the next game if I have to play a boring ass human nob.
If Bioware does not want to make hair, at least keep the messy bob, as it's like one of the very few hair styles that is even close to being good.
Oh well, hopefully they keep the scars.
Yeah, that's the only style I'll even use (as you can see in my avatar). I wouldn't mind the shoulder length one if it wasn't for the sideburns... Regardless, I'm 100% for keeping every style from previous games, just like DA2 had all of DA:O's hair options. Otherwise it not only makes the world seem like it doesn't know what kind of hair is normal, but also makes returning characters impossible to recreate. I'm looking at you, Hawke. If the Inquisitor shows up in the next game, playable or no, I need her to actually look like my Inquisitor!
Im all for multiple race options with the provision that they're all catered to.
In inquisition the race options were added towards the end of development and it shows- i still shudder at my dalish mage asking about mythal. Its a bridge i seemingly cant build to get over. Lol
Also, as much as i enjoy elven characters, in the next game id be happy if they weren't an option.
As it seems.many have joined certain factions, it makes them an interesting variety for enemy factions.
Id much rather have choices that.are something like
Human Slave (cause we have had too many noble choices and barbarian was cut in origins)
Human Mage ( in a mage setting such as tevinter, i feel like this could give a human option a unique experience to being a mage who is regarded with more respect/authority in a magic dominated setting- also, gives the player options to embrace traditional tevinter culture or change ala Dorian ).
The third option could be Dwarves. We know they have a presence in tevinter, and you could be a guard, or something those along those lines when you are caught up in the events of the game.
Just some thoughts of mine which wont be too popular, but if they were implemented would be acceptable for myself at least
You know mages can be slaves too in Tevinter? Therefore a Human Slave and a Human Mage are not mutually exclusive
I would like for them to dissolve the notion that its either A) Set Race or
Strong Narrative.
It could easily be both if they wanted them to a priority.
Sadly, that appears to be a big "if", because the protagonist isn't a priority to begin with despite their crucial role in both the story and as the player-avatar. The writers need to actually allow a protagonist to be a character instead something more akin to a prop that moves the story along and provides characterization and development opportunities for the NPCs while never receiving much if anything in the way of support or meaningful roleplaying opportunities in turn. Having a set race would make this easier to pull off because there are fewer variables to flesh out and keep in mind -- still, you're absolutely right that they could do it if they wanted to make it a proper priority.
Minor rant incoming:
Rant and and don't apologize! I'm with you 100%.
Oh I agree, but a lot of me just feels a bit insulted by the whole "ideal form" thing. I mean, when they clearly prefer using it over being realistic, it makes me feel... can't think of the right word here - Used? Undervalued? - As a woman. It's also like that for men, but at least the built-up look makes sense, so it's not so bad.
Same. At least the male "ideal" implies presence, power and competence, and while over the top for many PCs and NPCs, it reflects the very physically active and demanding lives that these characters have. The female "ideal" is the deliberate opposite. Bioware didn't create these "ideals", of course, but they perpetuate them visually despite doing a pretty good job at moving away from the strict gender roles the ideals are based on. Writing beats visuals, but it takes both in combination instead of confict to really pull a character off.
And don't get me started on the animations -- a female Inquisitor slouches like a sulky brat when walking, and sways her arse like her hip's about to fly off when running. I definitely second your wish for neutral, non-gender-sepatate animations.
Dwarves though? Yeah... no. I would be a lot more tempted to play one if she looked like an Origins or DA2 dwarf - that is, looking like a dwarf and not like, well, a child. It's also annoying because it's a retcon - again, because "sexy". Female dwarves before DA:I were only a little thinner than Oghren. It was much better, and made the race actually have differences from others.
That is my beef with the female dwarves, spot-on. I wasn't overly impressed with them even in Origins, but now it's even more obvious and really irritating. There is nothing about them that says dwarf like the stocky, solid, heavyset and rough-hewn male bodies and faces do.
I really hope so too. I've written a lot about in in a thread about it. I'd even be open to playing as them and a new protagonist, but I need control over her, especially in regards to Solas.
It would be a travesty to spent an entire game on establishing Solas and his personal connections with the other characters and especially with the Inquisitor only to sacrifice that bond on the altar of the arbitrary one-shot-only for protagonists rule. I really don't think the Solas-arc could be resolved by another character in a satisfying manner, and the Inquisitor should not be a side note or a Obi-Wan like sacrifice to open the way for a new Luke. Dual protagonists might be an interesting experience, with the new gal/guy doing more "normal" and low-key RPG stuff and the Inquisitor doing the mystical, secretive, heavily narrative-focused instead of gameplay-focused pulling of strings in the back. Bioware just needs to (be allowed to?) make that experiment instead of weakening the story they set up in the name of not confusing new players.
Whoops, off-topic. Which thread were you referring to?
I'm hoping for the dual protagonist thing that most people have mentioned, I think it could work really well. Even if the Inquisitor's role is very small, they'd keep that personal connection to the Solas storyline. So long as his aims are a major story point, they should be involved. It would make sense if they were involved in lots of non-combatant areas of the story.
For the new protagonist, I'd love to have race choice, more in the vein of DAO (with detailed origin stories and ties to different plot elements later). That was great for story. A Tabris visiting the Alienage had much more of a connection to that story than a Cousland (and recognition). Even between the same race: Aeducan and Brosca had a different reception on returning to Orzammar. They could work with one background (e.g ex-slave) and make variances for race though. Give it a strong personal story but change how race affects it.
Ultimately though, if a race will be handled extensively in the overall story, you should be able to play as one. DA2 had almost nothing relating to elves (just Merrill's stuff really) and nothing for dwarves. So it didn't matter that it was human-only, what mattered in that game was your class (mage/non-mage). For DAI though, I think the elven reveals are far to significant to exclude that race option. Briala's goals at the Winter Palace are far more significant to an elf. The temple of Mythal, Flemeth reveal, Ameridan's identity, Solas reveal, the Eluvians and reveals of Trespasser... they all have a very personal meaning to an elven Inquisitor. To a much lesser extent, I enjoyed being able to experience The Descent as a dwarf, and I'm hoping Trespasser has more relevance to a qunari.
If DA4 is the same and has lots of race-related story, then that race should be an option.
Of course, if they did go for dual protags, then I guess Lavellan/Cadash/Adaar could pick up race-related content for non-humans, and the new protag could be human-only. (Set race would always be human-only, it's the most relatable and popular).
I hope in the next DA we can play as qunari again. They're easily my favorite race.
the world's reactive to it. I would also appreciate it if race selection came with a specific background/origin that somewhat alters the narrative.
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