Myzou wrote:
I was more looking at the standing animation. Comparing it to the Night Elves, it doesn't look right. Comparing it to the old night elves, it looks the same. Anyway, even if it was updated:
From what I can tell, the Ankoan only have one model. They don't have a customizable model. They just have different sets of gear that they built around the model that they swap.
Regardless, there is a base model underneath, that's about all I can say.
It's all one model underneath. In no way is it built to be a playable model.
We don't currently know what type of system they use. They could use the old geoset system or the model could call upon "collections" (like 3D player armor and also Vulpera NPC armor does)
Also, yes, Jinyu were built on the old Night Elf skeleton/animation set due to the fact that they are from MoP, an expansion before a new Night Elf male skeleton was ever introduced. Fact of the matter, it's difficult to really say something uses the old Night Elf animations when the old Night Elf model now uses the new animations regardless. But yes, Ankoan use the new animations.
Regardless, you are right. Ankoan are currently not built to be a player race. This could change in the next build (Vulpera were also not built to be a player race early during BfA beta) or it couldn't change at all before 8.2 launches, but it could always be done at a later point.
Myzou wrote:They said when they're building future races, they're building them to be customizable. This to me tells me they don't see Ankoans as a race.
They also said they wanted to move away from allied races as being better versions of existing base races. Mechagnomes/Junker gnomes contradict that philosophy.
Myzou wrote:That said, people need to realize about Mechagnomes, that the customization isn't done. All they have are hairstyles. If they were to be made playable, I'm sure they'd have different robotic parts you can customize.
They'd also likely get the forsaken treatment, and their robotic parts would show through clothes.
This still leaves the problem that Mechagnomes/Junker Gnomes are essentially Gnomes+, they take what Gnomes are and turn the knob up, the same way Lightforged do for Draenei and Highmountain do for Tauren.
Regardless, I've made my peace with playable Mechagnomes for the Alliance, because of their addition to the chr. list. (which was mentioned and shown in a screenshot by somebody during peak 8.2 datamining)
At this point, I just hope we get something good
after Mechagnomes, be that Ankoan, or Sethrak. Something, so long as it is a new species, and not a better or slightly changed version of something we already have. (Looking at you, High Elves and Lightbound Undead)
I'm interested in seeing the Ankoan in the story- if they're cool, they'll be my top pick for a race that I want to see made into a player race in like.. 8.3.5 (we know there'll be a 8.3) and I hope that with enough requests for them, Blizzard might consider it, too.