Character customization goes a long way. We all know there will be what individuals consider cookie cutter builds.
Since I have never played ArcheAge (Though I like that concept) I going to use Vanilla WoW and Diablo II in as my examples.
i know this is a little off topic from my post, but I’ll indulge here.
What made Diablo II and WoW so fun. Talent trees in which you could be unique. What is one thing that brought ruin to Diablo III and WoW was removing the ability to make a unique setup. There are other issues but just keeping it to one point for now.
As a gamer, I want to feel as if I’m role playing my character. Like good old D&D. There more immersed in your character and there roll the more fun and imaginative that character becomes.
I also don’t think in the day and age we are in its to much to ask developers to allow for character customization. The more customization allowed the more unique your character becomes.