New Emoticons

I understand why you can't keep using the old emoticons.  Even before you specifically identified intellectual property concerns as *part* of the reason for the change, I thought that was likely part of what was driving the change, or at least why the change is happening now.  You had to change the emoticons, and you put a lot of effort into trying to create something that would not just replace the old emoticons but enhance the game.  Kudos to you.  Really, well done and I appreciate it.  Not every game would go the extra mile like that.  Hard to think of another that would.

However, I can't read the new emoticons.  Something that is supposed to communicate information to me fails to do so.  I would prefer something that communicated the information more clearly.  I would also prefer it if it were not gender-specific, for the reasons I outlined above.

I recognize that this is FAR from the most important thing going on right now.  I also recognize that a lot of work went into the new emoticons, not to mention all the other amazing changes.  Thank you all so much, really, really.

But it would be really nice to hear back from the development team that you recognize that these concerns, which are not mine alone, may have some validity.  And that you might consider reworking the icons *at some point in the distant future when you have time and are not working on more important stuff*.

It feels to me like thus far they Illyriad team has been dismissive of constructive suggestions, which is really unusual for you folks, who are normally so patient and open.  I wonder if part of it is because you are likely exhausted from the tremendous effort that went into the recent changes and maybe are not hearing what we are really saying.  I don't hear most players saying "Hop to it, this is horrible, you must change it right away."  We are saying "This doesn't seem to be working as well as it could, we'd appreciate it if you made some tweaks."

I would like to hear that you understand that we are expressing these concerns with positive intentions.  It doesn't mean that you have to change anything, just that you've heard us.

Thank you Luna for the appropriate reply. Could you folks check the link I left above and tell me if it's something you're willing to implement? It's not quite finished, I still have to do the steam and then gif it all up so it's animated. Let me know huh? It'll be yours to use without issue. Thanks.

 Thorulfr