Feedback talk:User/Messenger/Race of figures in skill icons.

Or go one step further and make the race figues on the skill icons reflect which race the player is playing. I realize this means having five different icons for each skill in order to depict all of the races. But then at least the skills feel like they are more specific to my character rather than some generic place-holder. Guild Wars 3 perhaps 23:17, 17 October 2011 (UTC)

I don't want to burden ANet or delay GW2, though. I just thought it'd be more appropriate that the game's 4 new races are fairly and evenly included in the icons with the humans. For example, if there are, say, 25 skill icons that depict a PC-type of figure, each race should be depicted 5 times, rather than the humans getting all 25 of those icons. --Messenger 09:57, 18 October 2011 (UTC)

Actually, with the way most skills are right now, 20 of them would not have a person on them, 3 of them would have a face, and 2 of them would have a silhouette. Kormon Balser 13:27, 18 October 2011 (UTC)

Good point; not every skill depicts a figure. So making additional skill icons to reflect all 5 races wouldn't really involve all that much more work while at the same time giving a more personalized feel to the icons. Guild Wars 3 perhaps 17:45, 18 October 2011 (UTC)

Maybe we should expand on that idea to have a more personalized feel to the icons? (and yes, my values were slightly exaggerated) Kormon Balser 21:49, 19 October 2011 (UTC)

To make it really, really personalized, those skill icons which depict figures could be made to depict an image of the player themselves. It becomes an overlay on a generic background common to a particular icon. The image of the player's character would be "photographed" in a position that makes sense relative to what is being depicted on the skill icon. A filter gets applied to give the "photo" a more painterly, hand-drawn skill icon look. It is then overlayed in the correct orientation on the skill icon.

For example, let's say an Elementalist's Phoenix skill icon depicts a figure casting a flaming bird from its outstretched hands (I know the current Phoenix icon doesn't depict that, but work with me here). So the flaming Phoenix and the fiery red background is common to all. Then a photo of your character gets placed onto the icon in the correct position with outstretched hands conjuring the Phoenix. To keep it consistent with the color palette being used for the icon, your character's photo gets red-shifted (regardless of what skin color or armor color you currently have) and a bit of filtering applied to make it look like it is part of the skill icon.

Of course, after looking through the Elementalists skill list more closely, there are very, very few which depict a figure. Of those that do, most are of a figure suffering the effect of the spell rather than of the caster casting the spell. So maybe all of this is rather moot. Guild Wars 3 perhaps 01:17, 20 October 2011 (UTC)

The only way your idea would be viable, GW3P, is if the armor of your character does not effect the icon. I don't see much of a problem with the icons depicting the CHARACTER, but if it depicted everything the equipment as well, then every time your character changes armor or weapons, the skill icons have to reload to fit the changes. Luckily, this wouldn't affect the server, but it could lag up indiviuals, as all of these skills are being adjusted to fit the current character everytime an armor is changed.

It'd be amazing if it could be pulled off, but I think that is a bit too much work for personalization. BESIDES, the icon shouldn't be what attracts you; the skill's effects and animation should be ^^ Derikvyreflame 21:51, 21 October 2011 (UTC)

Agree with above. The Icons aren't whats important. If Anet wants to take time to put this in, I can't say I'd mind at all. But I don't see it as being a big deal that requires attention.--Will Greyhawk 04:29, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

I just want to point out that my only intention here is for ANet to depict characters of other races besides humans in the icons. I really don't want to add even more work to their load, whether by having icons change according to your race and sex, or especially icons that match the exact kind of armor and weapons you use. Even if only a few icons actually depict a figure, I think it's too much if they make 5 or 10 different versions of a skill icon just to match the player's toon with the additional programming to switch the icons around. I just want the icons to reflect the fact that the game has 5 player races now, not just humans. If I play a Sylvari toon, I won't mind seeing a Charr among my skill icons and vice-versa and any other possible combination. --Messenger 15:41, 31 October 2011 (UTC)