ZOS let's talk about makeup

MornaBaine

Standard Disclaimer: The staff at ZOS who works on this kind of thing are NOT the same people working on PvP, class balance, lag, or new content. Snarkily coming in to this thread just to talk about how you think the money paid to the people who DO work on cosmetic fluff would be better spent elsewhere just kind of makes you look either extremely ignorant or...like a word sure to be censored if I used it here.

Now that's out of the way...

Let's look at the makeup options in character generation. And let me ask you: Why on earth are these in the same selection area as scars and warpaint? Okay, I can see the warpaint. But scars should really be a separate layer that you can have WITH makeup or warpaint if you want. Lumping them all together really unnecessarily limits your options.

So, here's what we have:


Now I'm a Goth Girl from way back. But black lipstick? Really? This is a typical choice in Tamriel? I don't at all mind it being an option but when it's one of like, six or seven total options? I LOVE the eyeliner here but could we PLEASE have it with a lip color that doesn't make me hear Bela Lugoisi Is Dead in my head? In fact, this is the main problem with most of the makeup options. You either do eye makeup with no corresponding lip makeup or lip makeup with no corresponding eye makeup. And the incredibly few selections you've given us that include both are just BAD. And since you've apparently elected not to give characters eyelashes, eye makeup is really important to help define the eye and make them look less weird. It was a really poor design decision to implement makeup this way to begin with. There should have been a range of eye makeup choices and SEPARATE lip color choices we, the players, could have chosen to put together in any combination we want. But since it's unlikely you'll be redoing character generation to include this option it's crucial that you give us a MUCH LARGER selection of overall makeup choices. And they need to be GOOD, not just the slap dash stuff you threw in to begin with.



Now....who's bad 1970's flashback inspired this? Seriously, glossy pink lips and blue eyeshadow? Never do anything like this again. Please.



This one, the lipcolor is great but the eye makeup is really over the top. For future selections, dial it back a notch and give us some shades in more neutral tones (Browns, golds, grays, some lighter more fleshy pinks, for example). This eye makeup is just really too jarring.



Now this, in game, is a really great lip color. But it just seems weird with the "naked" eye it comes with. It needs to be balanced out with some great eye makeup.
Like maybe....THIS:


My favorite eye makeup so far. But alas, it only comes with the default lip color. And why does the default lip color have to look like shiny lip gloss? But the eye makeup does a great job of defining the eye while not being TOO obnoxious. More choices like this, in various colors, in conjunction with some nicer lip colors, would be DEEPLY appreciated!



Now this is a decent eye makeup also. Too bad it only comes with the default lip color. It defines the eye without looking TOO makeup-y. More subtle, "no makeup" makeup looks are needed. Some that include some blushers that help contour and define the face would be amazing as well. And please, do some that are just eyeliners without corresponding eyeshadow as in the first pic... with lips that aren't black. Some SLIGHTLY smudged eyeliner would be great to help out with that NO EYELASH problem. Some fun vaguely "Egyptian" eyeliners would be wonderful as well.

I bring the above to your attention since you say you're working on this sort of stuff. However you choose to implement it, PLEASE realize that you need to give us a LOT of choices. MORE than a dozen. As wonderful as your base character generation is, as you can see from the above, makeup can make the same character look RADICALLY different. And this is even more true once they are in game. It's a crucial part of character customization and goes a really long way towards letting players create characters they feel are truly unique. We need a lot more choices than about half a dozen to accomplish that. Thank you.

Also, more eyebrows that aren't completely ridiculous please.

Jura23

I always wanted to create male Altmer character. Just for the golden lipstick.

Volkodav

I dont care for the makeup either.I dont even use it.

AnnieBeGood

Yup. I agree - makeup should be separate - c'mon a girl has to look her best while killing daedra

Fruitmass

Would love for scars, tattoos, make up and accessories to each have their own category. Would also love to select blush, lipstick, eyeliner and eye shadow separately. Same with tattoos. Really wish they could be placed by body region (arms, legs, back, chest, face, ect). Also body hair, the men of ESO totally need more body hair options .

Nifty2g

Ur toon is fat

MornaBaine

Fruitmass wrote: »

Would love for scars, tattoos, make up and accessories to each have their own category. Would also love to select blush, lipstick, eyeliner and eye shadow separately. Same with tattoos. Really wish they could be placed by body region (arms, legs, back, chest, face, ect). Also body hair, the men of ESO totally need more body hair options .

I totally agree with all of this. Unfortunately it would require them to radically change character generation. And at this point my expectations are so low that, if they did, the shock might kill me. LOL So now I try to ask for things that would work within the parameters that already exist. So I have to hope they will hire on some better artists then the ones they had at launch.

SemiD4rkness

Girls....

TheShadowScout

More optiopns would be very much appreciated.

Dividing the sliders a little bit would be great, though since I am not sure how much effort that would take to implement, its perhaps not something one should count on. If it was done however, I would love to see something along those lines... bot for face (some people really get vexed they have to choose so much there... only two sliders to picc options from is a bit limiting, especially iof more options were added...) and body (so people can have both body scars and warpaint, or something. Also agreed on more male body hair options!)

But adding more options to each slider, that should be doable, right? And that is definitely something we would enkoy seeing come character recustomizations, even if thopse added options were to be sold in the crown store which almost certainly is what would happen (though one hopes that they might also marry some to achievements in a similar way as dyes - who wouldn#t want some "prison tatoos" as unluck from justice system achievements and such? )

And among the sorely desired "new options" would be tons of makeup options for those of ud who want more character customization to go wild... not everyone is a rough warhog who enjoys the blood of their enemies as makeup and armor dye, there are noble mages too that want to look pretty and all that!
I also second the call for "egyptian style", it would be great to have more "old times" looks to use. Scour the movie archieve, egyptian makeup is only the start... be it historical or fantasy movies, theatric of science fiction, there are a lot of imaginations about unusual makeups that could be drawn inspiration from to bring more varietee to ESO...
Also, more warpaints, from native american to celtic, from "clan of the cave bear" to african, those who like that kind of looks would appreciate it.
More tatoos, from "vikings" to "yakuza", from "maori" to "sailor", this category too could use a good deal more options.
And more scars as well, from glasgow smile to axe-to-the-face, from ex-slave-whipping-scarred back to "how the heck did the character survive this???" body scars...
Also, more placement varietee, the system may not allow free placement of markings, but there could be more options in placement and/or coverage for each style...

...oh, while we're at it... also some more options for hairstyle (duh), but... also some options that make for good combinations. Like, say, some "half head shaved" hairstyles that can be combined with "half head tatooed" options for a neat look...

MornaBaine

TheShadowScout wrote: »

More optiopns would be very much appreciated.

Dividing the sliders a little bit would be great, though since I am not sure how much effort that would take to implement, its perhaps not something one should count on. If it was done however, I would love to see something along those lines... bot for face (some people really get vexed they have to choose so much there... only two sliders to picc options from is a bit limiting, especially iof more options were added...) and body (so people can have both body scars and warpaint, or something. Also agreed on more male body hair options!)

But adding more options to each slider, that should be doable, right? And that is definitely something we would enkoy seeing come character recustomizations, even if thopse added options were to be sold in the crown store which almost certainly is what would happen (though one hopes that they might also marry some to achievements in a similar way as dyes - who wouldn#t want some "prison tatoos" as unluck from justice system achievements and such? )

And among the sorely desired "new options" would be tons of makeup options for those of ud who want more character customization to go wild... not everyone is a rough warhog who enjoys the blood of their enemies as makeup and armor dye, there are noble mages too that want to look pretty and all that!
I also second the call for "egyptian style", it would be great to have more "old times" looks to use. Scour the movie archieve, egyptian makeup is only the start... be it historical or fantasy movies, theatric of science fiction, there are a lot of imaginations about unusual makeups that could be drawn inspiration from to bring more varietee to ESO...
Also, more warpaints, from native american to celtic, from "clan of the cave bear" to african, those who like that kind of looks would appreciate it.
More tatoos, from "vikings" to "yakuza", from "maori" to "sailor", this category too could use a good deal more options.
And more scars as well, from glasgow smile to axe-to-the-face, from ex-slave-whipping-scarred back to "how the heck did the character survive this???" body scars...
Also, more placement varietee, the system may not allow free placement of markings, but there could be more options in placement and/or coverage for each style...

...oh, while we're at it... also some more options for hairstyle (duh), but... also some options that make for good combinations. Like, say, some "half head shaved" hairstyles that can be combined with "half head tatooed" options for a neat look...

Agreed to all of the above! My next post was going to be on hairstyles but...pfffftttt... maintenance is about to destroy my ability to get into character generation for pics. So we'll just have to pass the time talking about this! LOL

Slaunyeh

SemiD4rkness wrote: »

Girls....

...are also customers with money to spend.

MornaBaine

Anyone have examples of makeup styles they WOULD like to see?

RDMyers65b14_ESO

What we need is a color wheel from which we can choose any shade, hue or saturation. Damn it, I am trying to remember which game it was that I saw that.

Jura23

MornaBaine wrote: »

Anyone have examples of makeup styles they WOULD like to see?

MissBizz

AnnieBeGood wrote: »

Yup. I agree - makeup should be separate - c'mon a girl has to look her best while killing daedra

Agreed.

Gidorick

All of this really depends on how ZOS has designed and handled their character creation.

They have mentioned before that they cannot currently allow dyes for the costumes because of a layering issue. My assumption is they have created a certain number of layers for each character, the base layer that we create in character creation, the armor layer, the dye layer and the costume/tabard layer.

I don't know why they creation method of the base layer can't be pretty much infinitely complex. Especially if the system "creates" the layer after character creation.

Fruitmass wrote: »

Would love for scars, tattoos, make up and accessories to each have their own category. Would also love to select blush, lipstick, eyeliner and eye shadow separately. Same with tattoos. Really wish they could be placed by body region (arms, legs, back, chest, face, ect). Also body hair, the men of ESO totally need more body hair options .

I agree with all of this @Fruitmass. Each region should have its own set of options. ZOS could give us a total number of "Cosmetic Enhancement Slots" (let say 5) and you could spend those anywhere on your body... then, of course, they could sell more "CE Slots in the crown store. tee hee.

bottom line is... ESO's character creation is great, but not as great as it should be. I fully expect there to be more options added with the Barber Shop.

MishMash

I wish we could fix our characters... like get one single pass to make a change if needed.

When I made my first toon I could have cared less about what it looked like. Now, I am embarrassed to take my helmet off (lol) as I have a huge tattoo on my face! It is my main toon so I would like the option to remove the tattoo! Please can we get just one pass Purty Purty Pwease!

MornaBaine

MishMash wrote: »

I wish we could fix our characters... like get one single pass to make a change if needed.

When I made my first toon I could have cared less about what it looked like. Now, I am embarrassed to take my helmet off (lol) as I have a huge tattoo on my face! It is my main toon so I would like the option to remove the tattoo! Please can we get just one pass Purty Purty Pwease!

I believe character RE-customization is going to be one of the things on offer in the crown store next year. If so, they're going to make a freakin' killing off me. I want to fiddle with ALL EIGHT of mine! LOL And if they finally give us some hairstyles that DON'T SUCK I'm doomed! LOL

MishMash

MornaBaine wrote: »

I believe character RE-customization is going to be one of the things on offer in the crown store next year. And if they finally give us some hairstyles that DON'T SUCK I'm doomed! LOL

I sure hope so because I need serious help -- I went with cornrows, jewel headband (huge pink stone) and a big tattoo on my face... trust me I look ridiculous!

Vyle_Byte

I endorse this OP! Fully 100% concur so hard!

Seriously Morna, this is a topic that is dear to my heart! Opening up more options for make up could vastly improve our characters' uniqueness. Some of the make up is kinda horrid and just allowing a bit of tweaking would be fantastic.

Its not game breaking, its a simple quality of life issue.

Starshadw

It's a fact that we need more character customization options.

More makeup, more jewelry, more tattoos, more hairstyles, more beard/mustache styles, etc.

Jura23

Starshadw wrote: »

It's a fact that we need more character customization options.

More makeup, more jewelry, more tattoos, more hairstyles, more beard/mustache styles, etc.

yep....

JaJaLuka

Yeah I wanted to make my scarred, whorey looking Breton already...

On a different note; sure I'd support this, though in all honesty I don't think I'd use the function on any of my mains... them being male an all

MornaBaine

JaJaLuka wrote: »

Yeah I wanted to make my scarred, whorey looking Breton already...

On a different note; sure I'd support this, though in all honesty I don't think I'd use the function on any of my mains... them being male an all

Actually there SHOULD be "makeup" options for males. They could do a lot with shading and contouring that wouldn't look like they were wearing makeup per se. And like it's just silly that all men have the exact same color of lips. There should be various options that don't necessarily look like lipstick. And they can do a lot to bring out and define the eyes without making it look like mascara and eyeliner as well.

JaJaLuka

MornaBaine wrote: »

JaJaLuka wrote: »

Yeah I wanted to make my scarred, whorey looking Breton already...

On a different note; sure I'd support this, though in all honesty I don't think I'd use the function on any of my mains... them being male an all

Actually there SHOULD be "makeup" options for males. They could do a lot with shading and contouring that wouldn't look like they were wearing makeup per se. And like it's just silly that all men have the exact same color of lips. There should be various options that don't necessarily look like lipstick. And they can do a lot to bring out and define the eyes without making it look like mascara and eyeliner as well.

Lol, you thought I was kidding about the Breton comment? I made the original troll character at launch as a fat Breton Those were some funny times, had a lot of fun with that ugly old man. An example I shared on another post earlier tonight, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFSwUdLWx7I

MornaBaine

JaJaLuka wrote: »

MornaBaine wrote: »

JaJaLuka wrote: »

Yeah I wanted to make my scarred, whorey looking Breton already...

On a different note; sure I'd support this, though in all honesty I don't think I'd use the function on any of my mains... them being male an all

Actually there SHOULD be "makeup" options for males. They could do a lot with shading and contouring that wouldn't look like they were wearing makeup per se. And like it's just silly that all men have the exact same color of lips. There should be various options that don't necessarily look like lipstick. And they can do a lot to bring out and define the eyes without making it look like mascara and eyeliner as well.

Lol, you thought I was kidding about the Breton comment? I made the original troll character at launch as a fat Breton Those were some funny times, had a lot of fun with that ugly old man. An example I shared on another post earlier tonight, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFSwUdLWx7I

MY EYES!!!!

Cously

Eyeliners for men, now!

MornaBaine

Cously wrote: »

Eyeliners for men, now!

Dear Divines yes...especially if we can make men that look like Khal Drogo! LOL Of course you CAN do the eyeliner on men...but you get stuck with the black lipstick too.

Egonieser

SemiD4rkness wrote: »

Girls....

Ha, agreed.
Not that I care about make-ups in a fictional mediaeval world where Apocalypse is imminent, but guess a more in-depth character customisation is never a bad thing.

They should put all make-up related things in the crown store, so if they want that glittery lipstick and 50 shades of blushers, they can just buy it. Make-up is not free.
Perhaps they could create a Avon-Tamriel program for all them girls eh? (and some men)

Only joking of course..

TheShadowScout

MornaBaine wrote: »

I believe character RE-customization is going to be one of the things on offer in the crown store next year. If so, they're going to make a freakin' killing off me. I want to fiddle with ALL EIGHT of mine! LOL And if they finally give us some hairstyles that DON'T SUCK I'm doomed! LOL

Agreed. I will want to fiddle with at least half or mine as well, just for starters. And knowing myself, end up adjusting this or that on all eight characters in the end anyhow. Especially once they start bringing in new options! I'd just find myself unable to resist spending crowns on this...

MornaBaine wrote: »

Cously wrote: »

Eyeliners for men, now!

Dear Divines yes...especially if we can make men that look like Khal Drogo! LOL Of course you CAN do the eyeliner on men...but you get stuck with the black lipstick too.

HEY! My dunmer librarian boy is wearing eyeshadow and black lipstick to match his black robes... It's a goth thing, I guess...

But yeah, makeup for men has been widespread through many parts of history, be it egyprian eyeliner in the pharaos days, or powdered faces at the court of the sun king... there really ought to be way more options, character (re)customization options are one of the things that make roleplayers get all hot and bothered...
Also, GoT is a neat example I wish the ESO art team would stea... uhm... draw inspiration from! But there are many more fantasy and even scifi movies and series whose creative impulses would fit well within the options available to our character appereance choices...

MornaBaine

RDMyers65b14_ESO wrote: »

What we need is a color wheel from which we can choose any shade, hue or saturation. Damn it, I am trying to remember which game it was that I saw that.

The Sims 3 has it but that's an old single player game. As to MMOs...Aion maybe? Eve?