I'm gonna just assume that feedback from the comments from here will be collected as well.
One Note in general: The Art Team in my opinion should ask themselves the question ESPECIALLY with the characters: "Will this still look good in 2030?"
With UE5 and the game probably releasing >= 2024 the bar in my opinion should be photo realism to the best degree as possible. The best rigs we have today will be mid- to low-tier rigs by the time the game is out or a year or two old. And the engine should be able to handle it afaik.
That's just my 2 cents on that.
Vek
In terms of general style (Hair, Accessories, Facial structure) I have nothing to criticize. They look very "junglery" and I think that was the intend there.What immediately threw me off though was the colors and textures. The examples look very WoW Cartoony like in those aspects. A direction I don't think AoC wants to go into. It could just be a matter of to much gloss on the skin making it look plastic.
Niküa
This looks fine. I can't say a lot more without having seen some more options. Are all of the race members dark skinned? (No criticism or preference here, just curious).
Dünir
I'd say this is fine to. I'd like to see more.
I'd say a typical dwarf would have more bodyfat. This could contrast them towards the Niküa. Gives the big muscles (both sexes) but reduce the six pack slightly.
Kaelar
We shouldn't make humans unique. We can't invent the wheel again, so the character artist should focus on variety. A player that chooses a human likely wants to make it look like oneself so the focus should be options options options.
Even though we have 2 human races I would still like to see ALL options be open as long as the lore permits it. Their culture can be the difference. It doesn't have to be their looks (but the default options will still be in a particular direction)
A black Kaelar should be possible and a white European looking Vaelune should be too.
Ren’Kai
AoC's Orcs could be an opportunity to make them look unique and distinct from the other orcs out there. Currently they look like big humans with large teeth. Not every race needs to be special but this could be one were the artists goo wild with ideas. Optional full hair cover, just one eye like an ogre or Body modifications that change limbs.
Some points that overlap with all races:
- They are all ripped AF. It would be nice if multiple body types were a thing.- Its a stupid topic but the male a somewhat larger bulge between their legs. They are wearing tight underwear. We don't don't remove the boobs from the female chars either, do we?! :P (Sidenote: If this topic didn't came up yet, which is unlikely, then it might a lead in towards to which degree AoC will contain sexual themes.)