A new generation of adventurers are born

While Final Fantasy XIV fans wait to see what PAX will bring this weekend, Japan has been host to the CESA Developer's Conference, where game developers showed off the steps that went into creating Eorzea's new generation of adventurers.  Designers Keiichi Baba and Seiya Ishii were on-hand to reveal the tools they used and the inspiration they drew from Final Fantasy XI.

Read about their methods below, and discuss this in the ZAM Forums!

The heads of FFXI avatars served as the basis for initial sketches of the new designs.

Polygon counts were increased all over, especially around the eyes and mouth, to allow characters to display a wide range of emotions. 

3D tools were utilized to make repeated adjustments and increase the detail on avatars.

New details include hair, eye and skin colors as well as scars, beauty marks and other facial features.  The shape of an avatar's face is also fully adjustable.

Equipment textures and shading will also be fully customizable, with variations depending on quality and materials used.

Through texture and color variations, designers can produce 50 or more unique items using a single model.  This reduces the amount of data needed while still allowing for a wide variety of styles.

Such variety is accomplished by designating certain parts that can easily be added, removed or manipulated in some way to differentiate it from other items using the same model.

In some cases, even the avatar's body is a "part" of the equipment. In the above picture, the arms can be customized along with the vest piece.

Time and again, we have seen that more than anyone else, the designers behind FFXIV have really pulled out all the stops to create an impressively beautiful game world.  Will the game itself hold up and support their amazing work?  We are set to find out in less than 22 days!  For now, you can discuss this in the ZAM Forums!