From experience with pre-release items and peeks behind many a curtain (important note: elsewhere(s), not at Hivewire, I have no clue there), I'd say Fringewood's assertions are very much in line with what I've seen and been involved with in the past.

I know it takes me roughly 2-3 weeks to produce a character set; it can sometimes take considerably longer, sometimes much less time if things happen to flow 'just so'. (Pathetic note: I also have zero life outside of work, so I might work longer hours than someone who has to tend kids or a different dayjob or, you know, does things other than poke 3D apps with their time. ;) )

Seemingly simple clothing items may take roughly the same amount of time, as what is 'simple' visually is not always equally simple in terms of function or code-side complexity. Big or complex clothing sets? I've seen those take up to half a year. (I wouldn't necessarily expect to see that kind of thing at public release time for precisely that reason.)

-D
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It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye texture.