From the lore for GW2, I know that humanity at least for the released product is based out of Kryta, specifically, Divinity's Reach.  Since travel is cut off between the Tyrian continent with Elona and Cantha and has been for at least a century since anybody has been able to leave Tyria.  This being said Arenanet has established that there are refugees from Elona and Cantha that were residing in Tyria at the time of Zhaitan's rise, and the descendents of these original people have continued to live there.  My question is, do you think or would you like to be able to play as a different ethnic race other than Krytan? At the very least Ascalonian, should be involved since they are established in the same area of the game (Tyrian continent) that Kryta is.  I would also like to see Elonian and Canthan options added as both aesthetic options during customising physical appearance and perhaps another biography question to incorporate this into a personal story in some way.  What do you think, is this something that the community would be interested in as well?  Please feel free to qualify your response below!

M

My biased opinion is no. I never play humans in RP games if given the option. It would not hurt others to have the variety, I guess. But selfishly, I want the developers to focus on other stuff such as more customization for the other races =)

Originally posted by Palebane

My biased opinion is no. I never play humans in RP games if given the option. It would not hurt others to have the variety, I guess. But selfishly, I want the developers to focus on other stuff such as more customization for the other races =)

 I'm the exact opposite then, I always play human if given the chance. I like to sort of project myself onto my character =P Maybe that's why I also always play goodguys (rebel, order, republic etc). That's me right there, that character moving around experiencing cool stuff. Well, its no weirder then RPing someone else I think =)

I dont care about ethnicity at all, just plain human is fine.

Originally posted by Palebane

My biased opinion is no. I never play humans in RP games if given the option. It would not hurt others to have the variety, I guess. But selfishly, I want the developers to focus on other stuff such as more customization for the other races =)

 Nothing wrong with a biased answer! Mine is biased too because I want to able to play that type of human character! Of course, adding another option like this may show too much favoritism for humans as well or else more biography options would have to be added for the other races as well. I usually play humans, or half-elves in games so I like having different options in games.  Currently for humans there is an option related to class/caste but I want more!  What race do you intend to play Palebane?

I don't think an ethnic option is needed.  The visual affect can be achieved through a well-designed character creation tool and anything beyond that is RP anyway.  You can say you're the descendant of elonan immigrants or canthan refugees or whatever you like.  We're all tyrian now anyway.

Originally posted by ormstunga

 I'm the exact opposite then, I always play human if given the chance. I like to sort of project myself onto my character =P Maybe that's why I also always play goodguys (rebel, order, republic etc). That's me right there, that character moving around experiencing cool stuff. Well, its no weirder then RPing someone else I think =)

I dont care about ethnicity at all, just plain human is fine.

 I like you, ormstunga, play mostly humans.  I think it is the social scientist in me that I still find enjoyment in the diversity of humanity as it is without adding in creature-features.  If other options are not added do you think that it should read "Human (Krytan)" during character creation?  I am just wondering if they plan on adding Elonian or Canthan people back in during expansions if they should make it clear from the beginning that you are only playing as Krytans (and perhaps Ascalonians unless Ebonhawke is added as another starting area in the future) or just retcon the name if expansions are released for the other continents.

Man people have waaaay too much time on their hands.

Remember this is set 250 years after GW1. After so long AND being entirely isolated from the rest of the world I imagine the different human races have been entirely assimilated into the Krytan populace. Effectively there will be physical differences, such as darker skin for those with Elonian heritage, but they will all be 'Krytan' as far as their place of origin is concerned. All of the current humans alive in GW2 will have been born and raised in Kryta...

I would actually be surprised if ANet didn't include elonian and canthan appearances in human character customisation though as there would realistically be humans with such features going on what the lore tells us.

I think it would be awesome if they put in an option for Krytan or Ascalonian and added features for each. (like the Krytan tattoos and such) But then again, it is 250 years later and the 2 different humans have probably intertwined a bit since they are all focused in Kryta now, excpet for Ebonhawke. I think they should hold off from adding Canthan and Elonans for now though.

A long time ago (and with that I mean a year or so ago) it was stated by Anet that humans could indeed specify their heritage (Ascalonian, Krytan, Canthan or Elonian), however no such thing was seen in the demo. This could mean that it was taken out during developement or it could mean that it was not finalized but it could also mean that it is part of the physical costomization which was not yet included in the demo so you have to wait and see. Personally I would like it but it would be far from necessary.

Originally posted by Unlight

I don't think an ethnic option is needed.  The visual affect can be achieved through a well-designed character creation tool and anything beyond that is RP anyway.  You can say you're the descendant of elonan immigrants or canthan refugees or whatever you like.  We're all tyrian now anyway.

 You do have a point, "anything beyond that is RP anyway".  However, with the background that is supposed to bring the role of my character to the fore of the personal story and something like immigrant status could still impact relations between the different human factions.  Are the immigrants in de facto quarters of the city or have they fully integrated into Krytan society?  Do we know if the character creation tool will support this customization level?

I believe they are saving the other races for expansions.  I remember reading from an interview that the other locations are currently cut off by a Dragon/ Flooding caused by a dragon. 

I think they are doing so, atleast it stands in guildwars2 wiki that you be able to choose wich city out of 4 you where born. ((Don't be mad if i'm wrong, i just think i read it somewhere))

Originally posted by Alberel

Remember this is set 250 years after GW1. After so long AND being entirely isolated from the rest of the world I imagine the different human races have been entirely assimilated into the Krytan populace. Effectively there will be physical differences, such as darker skin for those with Elonian heritage, but they will all be 'Krytan' as far as their place of origin is concerned. All of the current humans alive in GW2 will have been born and raised in Kryta...

Well there are still ethnic districts in Divinity's Reach (kinda like China towns in many big western cities).

Thank you all for the comments and voting.  I had read on the official GW2 wiki that originally a "heritage" question was planned but there has not been any news on it.  While I agree that it should be a tertiary feature, it may add to the enjoyment of some people in the game, in particular for RPers.  This could add another level of internal division for humanity to overcome, adding ethnocentrism/racism into the game would make it into a more credible world.

Originally posted by Diovidius

Well there are still ethnic districts in Divinity's Reach (kinda like China towns in many big western cities).

 Good point! I thought that I remembered this from the map.  I just went back to look at the map of Divinity's Reach and found two areas of interest: Rurikton and Ossan Quarter, probably the de facto areas of Ascalonian and Elonian refugees, respectively.  Perhaps the immigrating people have still not settled down into Krytan societies after all!

Originally posted by mesmerise

Originally posted by Diovidius

Well there are still ethnic districts in Divinity's Reach (kinda like China towns in many big western cities).

 Good point! I thought that I remembered this from the map.  I just went back to look at the map of Divinity's Reach and found two areas of interest: Rurikton and Ossan Quarter, probably the de facto areas of Ascalonian and Elonian refugees, respectively.  Perhaps the immigating people have still not settled down into Krytan societies after all!

 According to the GW2 wiki on Divinity's Reach "The Ascalonians, Canthans, Elonians, and Krytans each have their own districts in the city, and the other two districts belong to stores and festival activities."

Your home instance is the Salma District named after Queen Salma, which makes it the Krytan quarter.

So while I appreciate the OP's position and think it might be interesting to have those kinds of heritages available, the way they've set it up with that section of town being instanced makes it more practical to limit players to only Krytan heritage for now.

Like a few have said, I'd love if they added it, but won't be torn up if they don't. Having 'racial' districts in Divinty's Reach, RPing and being able to create physicalliy Elonian/Kanthan humans would more than suffice for me. But if they added it as part of the backstory, I'd be pleased, esp since the humans I'm planning on playing are going to be sisters of Elonian descent :X

What features or options would you like in an ideal situation?

Originally posted by mesmerise

What features or options would you like in an ideal situation?

Different voice set, different starting clothing, just small flavor inhancements like that. Nothing monumental :X