Paul Sage actually answered one of my questions during the live stream. My question was:
Will you make available the ability to "hide" one's vampirism so that a vampire may look like they did BEFORE becoming vampires either through the use of a potion, an item, or a new skill?
This is at about 1:14:44 of the livestream.
Sage's answer is, "I don't know that we're ever going to offer that except through maybe disguises or costumes. But maybe disguises or costumes are the way to go. Part of the reason that is so people can tell who vampires are on the battlefield and, you know, so the populace can tell who the vampire is. So..." and he trails off and ends there.
First of all, I have yet to figure out why it's "important" for every single player in the game to be able to tell which players are vampires when not a single flaming NPC INCLUDING other vampires has even the vaguest clue that your character is a vampire. I really don't understand why this is important even in PvP. The abilities you use will give you away but it's no more "important" to be able to "see" a vampire than it is to be able to "see" a templar. Templars may wear heavy or light armor and use a variety of weapons or staves. When do you know they are a templar? When you see that freakin' Aedric spear for one. And I don't think you SHOULD know until then. Wasn't the WHOLE POINT of individual builds and the ability to use any armor and weapon precisely so people would not be automatically pigeonholed into the obvious tropes and stereotypes of their class? So yeah, I would REALLY like an answer to THAT.
I am also extremely disappointed that there are NO PLANS to allow this at present time and that if it EVER happens it's going to be through some nebulous "costume or disguise." If they DO offer this in this manner that will preclude your vampire from wearing a tabbard or a costume or disguise, which will really be a drag as more of these items become available and players enjoy being able to use them. Even if for whatever ridiculous reason you feel feel vampires NEED to be highly visible in PvP, Sage you've already ensured THAT with the last update by making us light up like freaking Roman Candles! So IF you ever decide to give a moment's thought to your large base of vampire players who REALLY WANT this ability and have been begging for it ever since we first saw how HIDEOUS Stages 3 and 4 are PLEASE RECONSIDER doing it via the costume/disguise route. PLEASE make it a slottable item on the potions ring as several other trophies/trinkets already are.
Please ALSO consider offering one that allows you to maintain the appearance of Stage 1 and possibly Stage 2 and even 3. Different people have preferences for these different looks and would really like to be able to maintain them. Remember also that this is a cosmetics issue and not a mechanics issue, mechanically the stages would progress as normal. Doing this as a slottable item will keep people from using it in Cyrodil because they'll want to have their heal, magicka or stam potion in that position and, of course, I don't see this item being something that could keep us from becoming blindingly obvious to those with the ability to see us clearly in PvP thanks to the recent changes anyway.
And please, I'm begging you, PAY ATTENTION and start ACTUALLY THINKING about doing it SOONER rather than later. Thank you. Frankly, I was really surprised and disappointed that you seemed completely clueless about the fact that this has been something a large portion of players have desired for a very long time as it is constantly cropping up as a hot topic on the forums. Who's responsible for getting that kind of information to you again????
Morna, Your Extremely Unhappy Player
And here's the video in case anyone wants to check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGUOLSng-F8#t=4983
PAWS (Positively Against Wrip-off Stuff) - Say No to Crown Crates!