One thing to think about, is why ARE humans so prevalent in fantasy and science fiction? Why do we always see the same old humans no matter were we look in fiction. It could be an entirely different dimension, universe, 1 million years in the future, and we would still see same ol humans there.

The reason is simple. In order to create a fantasy in which one can identify with, you MUST include humanity. Honestly, I don’t have a great explanation for this. But I’ve read books were there were no humans, and I’ve writtens stories were the characters are all strange alies.

One of the big reasons is the way we think We are designed to reflect upon past memories and experiences to help us understand what is happening and to try and to predict future events. So, when a book is completely removed from SOMETHING resembling humanity, it makes it a lot harder for us to draw upon past experiences and relate them to the story and therefor it’s surprisingly more difficult and definitely less fun to read.

As for editing comments. I’d love to say it’s coming soon, and I am considering a theme revamp. I looked at a professional job since i have so little time at the moment, but they asked over $1600. So when I get time I’ll look into it.

@Green Armadillo – I agree. It’s a big point for me too. As for the differently shaped ‘species’ and art and animation issues. Yep, that may be the biggest sticking point as to why characters aren’t more bestial. If *I* was the game designer though, I’d probably look at either different forms of armor (Centaur armor for example would effectively be horse armor) or just using a different texture (I think that is what is mostly done now) for simplicity.

And there’s no reason why different species couldn’t use something completely different to armour. A spider or insect species could use some form of magic or alchemy to modify their chitinous exoskeleton. Enhancements could be made directly to the body rather than being an external adornment. Just an idea, not sure how difficult this would be in practice.

@Magson – Definitely a cool option. Some time ago, after WoWs Burning Crusade (or maybe before) I suggested that I’d like to see some of the other NPCs used as playable races. Specifically the Ogres. They fit in with WoW lore as playable, and it would be fun to be that size and (as a mage) have two heads. You could be your own best friend!

The “drider” models are in EQ2 (though they call them Drachnids) , and I’d love to play one, especially if I had full spiderclimb-type movement capabilities. I’d also love to be an orc or a goblin.

I think I posted about this a while back, but EQ2′s race variety is actually a big selling point for me. I’m just as tired as you are of playing races that were in the Fellowship of the Ring, and my top EQ2 character concepts involve Fae, Sarnak, Ratonga, Erudites (kind of human shaped I guess) and Frogloks.

In terms of non-humanoid (upright, bipedal) races, the issue may hinge on art and animation overhead. How does a Centaur take the auto-Gryphon? Can they equip pants, and, if so, do they have four legs? Or does your spider wear four pairs of pants and no gloves? LOTRO’s Monster Play has this kind of worked out by putting extreme limits on what the monsters can wear, but most recent games want to preserve that avenue for progression.

I also really like the centaur idea, and it’s something I think of every time I’m dicking around in the Nexus. WoW has already remodeled the NPCs; why not turn those around and use them? Unfortunately, I don’t really see a mass proliferation of non-human races anytime soon. Part of the Aion beta’s success seems to revolve around how “pretty” the game is, despite the fact that you essentially have one “race” (divided into factions, of course).

I think part of this attraction to “pretty,” or at least humanoid, is relational. While there are those who will be immediately attracted to the strange and/or complex, many folks have a hard time getting into a game if they don’t feel like they’re talking on a more “heroic” version of themselves. The suspension of disbelief, so to speak, doesn’t happen when you move beyond bi-pedal with a tight ass.