Like the title asked: how important is it?
For me it's almost a make or break feature... In RPGs if I can't make my character look the way I want I might not buy the game. Action / Action RPGs get a little more slack I really can't see a reason why Nathan Drake needs to look like he does... for most narratives it is almost pointless to lock a gamer into a look.
I have been supporting a lot of games that have been giving up PoC main characters like Mafia ACO and Watchdogs but even those characters I would love to alter for my taste...
For me it's almost a make or break feature... In RPGs if I can't make my character look the way I want I might not buy the game. Action / Action RPGs get a little more slack I really can't see a reason why Nathan Drake needs to look like he does... for most narratives it is almost pointless to lock a gamer into a look.
I have been supporting a lot of games that have been giving up PoC main characters like Mafia ACO and Watchdogs but even those characters I would love to alter for my taste...
This might be perceived as a poor excuse, but there's no way you could customise Nathan Drake's face without losing a tonne of fidelity in detail and animation surely?
And that's where ND place a lot of their focus.
I personally couldn't care less about it in the vast majority of games. Except for games like Mass Effect/Dragon Age where you actually spend a lot of time looking at your character's face and trying to create your own narrative a bit. Doing it in Skyrim and the Souls games ended up being a waste of time, one is best played in first person, and the other I wear a helmet for 99% of the game.
Its nice to have it as an option since I wouldn't expect devs to cater for players like me who sometimes can be bothered with it, and sometimes can't. Skin colour especially should be adjustable in games where you create a character even if the facial customisation is half-arsed imo.
And that's where ND place a lot of their focus.
I personally couldn't care less about it in the vast majority of games. Except for games like Mass Effect/Dragon Age where you actually spend a lot of time looking at your character's face and trying to create your own narrative a bit. Doing it in Skyrim and the Souls games ended up being a waste of time, one is best played in first person, and the other I wear a helmet for 99% of the game.
Its nice to have it as an option since I wouldn't expect devs to cater for players like me who sometimes can be bothered with it, and sometimes can't. Skin colour especially should be adjustable in games where you create a character even if the facial customisation is half-arsed imo.
Edit: To give some more context to my post, I'm mixed white/asian/pacific islander
I generally never try to make characters look like me. The idea of looking at myself for an extended period is... offputting. I actually usually play as women if given the option.
Notable exception is Knights of the Old Republic, but that's more coincidental I suppose. I always think of (KOTOR spoiler) Revan as a Sun Tzu type character , so typically choose an Asian male.
So, not a huge deal? I like that other people are able to get representation they seek through this, but personally the choice of race doesn't matter that much to me. But gender seems to a little bit. I don't know. Interesting question, I'll think on it some more.
I generally never try to make characters look like me. The idea of looking at myself for an extended period is... offputting. I actually usually play as women if given the option.
Notable exception is Knights of the Old Republic, but that's more coincidental I suppose. I always think of (KOTOR spoiler) Revan as a Sun Tzu type character , so typically choose an Asian male.
So, not a huge deal? I like that other people are able to get representation they seek through this, but personally the choice of race doesn't matter that much to me. But gender seems to a little bit. I don't know. Interesting question, I'll think on it some more.
Matters little to me at all.
Particularly if it's a choice in developers time between that and extra content.
But ... i'm not exactly struggling for white leads.
Particularly if it's a choice in developers time between that and extra content.
But ... i'm not exactly struggling for white leads.
Doesn't matter at all to me. I rarely spend more than 15 minutes customizing a character. Usually I just select a preset, tweak it a bit, and go from there.
By giririsss Go To PostMatters little to me at all.Representation has always been an issue...
Particularly if it's a choice in developers time between that and extra content.
But … i'm not exactly struggling for white leads.
But even when I get PoC lead I wouldnt mind changing them
By Hitch Go To PostThis might be perceived as a poor excuse, but there's no way you could customise Nathan Drake's face without losing a tonne of fidelity in detail and animation surely?I am sure there are a lot of tech issues for raw mo-capping but can you really remember a time when Nathan Drake's facial expression made the narrative better?
And that's where ND place a lot of their focus.
I personally couldn't care less about it in the vast majority of games. Except for games like Mass Effect/Dragon Age where you actually spend a lot of time looking at your character's face and trying to create your own narrative a bit. Doing it in Skyrim and the Souls games ended up being a waste of time, one is best played in first person, and the other I wear a helmet for 99% of the game.
Its nice to have it as an option since I wouldn't expect devs to cater for players like me who sometimes can be bothered with it, and sometimes can't. Skin colour especially should be adjustable in games where you create a character even if the facial customisation is half-arsed imo.
RPGs tho it's a must for me... even Skyrim it means so much to me for whatever reason...
Passed on ELEX for that reason
If I can't be Koksal Baba, Harambe or Pamperchu I won't play it. Thank god for Football Manager and Fifa
I find it very hard to RPG without making my own character. Things like The Witcher or Breath of the Wild would have been much better in that way; Zelda is great but I have no motivation to cook shit and pretend Link's just living life because he isn't my creation. Doesn't matter if it looks like me or not; i usually make bearded bald dudes of any race, or play as an Orc in Skyrim.
Customization as in character creating? Doesn’t matter to me, I’m usually too lazy to mess with sliders so I just go with default option, in game customization however is an important part of rpgs for me.
Sometimes I feel like I have to just go default because the character creator/customization options aren't very good. I played Mass Effect with just the default Shepard because making anybody that didn't look like that made them look super out of place.
It matters a lot. The only reason more games don’t offer it is for branding. Nathan Drake toys are a lot easier to sell when there’s only one Drake. Games need a “mascot” to market like a Mario, Link, Kratos, Nathan Drake or Marcus Fenix.
When I play I like to pretend it’s me. Hard to do that when I have to look at a white guy constantly.
When I play I like to pretend it’s me. Hard to do that when I have to look at a white guy constantly.
By blackace Go To PostRepresentation has always been an issue…
But even when I get PoC lead I wouldnt mind changing them
I am sure there are a lot of tech issues for raw mo-capping but can you really remember a time when Nathan Drake's facial expression made the narrative better?
RPGs tho it's a must for me… even Skyrim it means so much to me for whatever reason…
Passed on ELEX for that reason
Yes like this is one the main reasons the cinematic experiences in Uncharted is so good, those facial expressions those details, the wincing, the smiles are all so natural I'd say that was HUGE contributing factor as to why the games where so good. I mean yeah there mechanics are solid but they're are certainly better "playing games" out there.
Id say the performances in Uncharted are a big deal. Especially in 2 and beyond. The facial expressions really nake the scenes.
I can enjoy games that don't have it (The Witcher, Deus Ex, etc.), but I'm the kind of person who goes in deep if the game has the option. Skyrim, for example, is a game where it's obviously designed for you to play a single character who can do everything, but the way I approached that game was to make a lot of characters and specialize each with a look that would compliment their playstyle. So I made a female elf mage, a male khajit thief, female nord warrior, male argonian assasin, etc. And I would play certain storylines with each and ignore others.
I never played table top RPGs or anything like that, I'm not into imagining elaborate backstories and names in general, but I love a decent character creator. I think I spent more time in the CC in Dragon Age Inquisition, The Sims 4 and Dragon's Dogma than playing the games.
As far as loot and costumes changing your look even if the character model is set, I also have a preference for that. One of my favorite genres is loot based ARPGs (Diablo, Grim Dawn, etc.) And sometimes I pick classes or playstyles exclusively for how the endgame sets will look.
In general it isn't about making myself into the character (last time I did that was in Fight Night iirc) but seeing what spectrum of different characters I can come up with.
I never played table top RPGs or anything like that, I'm not into imagining elaborate backstories and names in general, but I love a decent character creator. I think I spent more time in the CC in Dragon Age Inquisition, The Sims 4 and Dragon's Dogma than playing the games.
As far as loot and costumes changing your look even if the character model is set, I also have a preference for that. One of my favorite genres is loot based ARPGs (Diablo, Grim Dawn, etc.) And sometimes I pick classes or playstyles exclusively for how the endgame sets will look.
In general it isn't about making myself into the character (last time I did that was in Fight Night iirc) but seeing what spectrum of different characters I can come up with.
By Kidjr Go To PostYes like this is one the main reasons the cinematic experiences in Uncharted is so good, those facial expressions those details, the wincing, the smiles are all so natural I'd say that was HUGE contributing factor as to why the games where so good. I mean yeah there mechanics are solid but they're are certainly better "playing games" out there.eh.. I can't say I agree.. I haven't played 4 because 1 2 and 3 didn't make me want to continue playing as Drake.. 2 was an amazing ride because of the pace of the action and puzzles and how well they blended together to feel like an action move.. 3 was pretty poor all around.. CC wouldn't have helped that but I might had been more invested in it..
By n8 dogg Go To PostI find it very hard to RPG without making my own character. Things like The Witcher or Breath of the Wild would have been much better in that way; Zelda is great but I have no motivation to cook shit and pretend Link's just living life because he isn't my creation. Doesn't matter if it looks like me or not; i usually make bearded bald dudes of any race, or play as an Orc in Skyrim.With you fully!! I love playing as Orcs or Lizardmen..
By RobNBanks Go To PostIt matters a lot. The only reason more games don’t offer it is for branding. Nathan Drake toys are a lot easier to sell when there’s only one Drake. Games need a “mascot” to market like a Mario, Link, Kratos, Nathan Drake or Marcus Fenix.Are they really selling a ton of Drake goods?
When I play I like to pretend it’s me. Hard to do that when I have to look at a white guy constantly.
By inky Go To PostI can enjoy games that don't have it (The Witcher, Deus Ex, etc.), but I'm the kind of person who goes in deep if the game has the option. Skyrim, for example, is a game where it's obviously designed for you to play a single character who can do everything, but the way I approached that game was to make a lot of characters and specialize each with a look that would compliment their playstyle. So I made a female elf mage, a male khajit thief, female nord warrior, male argonian assasin, etc. And I would play certain storylines with each and ignore others.Feeling all of this!
I never played table top RPGs or anything like that, I'm not into imagining elaborate backstories and names in general, but I love a decent character creator. I think I spent more time in the CC in Dragon Age Inquisition, The Sims 4 and Dragon's Dogma than playing the games.
As far as loot and costumes changing your look even if the character model is set, I also habe a preferencr for that. One of my favorite genres is loot based ARPGs (Diablo, Grim Dawn, etc.) And sometimes I pick classes or playstyles exclusively for how the endgame sets will look.
It doesn't really affect any purchase decisions for me, but I love it when a game allows me to pick non-human characters. Especially if they are a green-skin (orc, goblin, etc.). It gets even better with more customization within that. I don't need something that goes into the detail of the latest Elder Scrolls games or anything, but something better than just 16 presets is a must.
I'd rather have a strong storyline with a few branching choices for a predetermined character than infinite potential with no story worth a damn.
Fallout 4 kind of tried to do both and it was terrible
Fallout 4 kind of tried to do both and it was terrible
Character customization depends on the game, and more importantly, the narrative which the developer is trying to tell.
With a custom design you're typically left with a mute lead that is simply going through the motions that have been set in place - and that's beyond boring to me. Give me a tight focused story and interesting characters and it doesn't matter what they look like.
GTA V has the best of both with their single player stories and then custom multiplayer.
But when I read customization the first thing I thought of was control layout and UI options. All games should attempt to add those types of choices.
With a custom design you're typically left with a mute lead that is simply going through the motions that have been set in place - and that's beyond boring to me. Give me a tight focused story and interesting characters and it doesn't matter what they look like.
GTA V has the best of both with their single player stories and then custom multiplayer.
But when I read customization the first thing I thought of was control layout and UI options. All games should attempt to add those types of choices.
By GQman2121 Go To PostCharacter customization depends on the game, and more importantly, the narrative which the developer is trying to tell.
With a custom design you're typically left with a mute lead that is simply going through the motions that have been set in place - and that's beyond boring to me. Give me a tight focused story and interesting characters and it doesn't matter what they look like.
GTA V has the best of both with their single player stories and then custom multiplayer.
But when I read customization the first thing I thought of was control layout and UI options. All games should attempt to add those types of choices.
I remember when this wasn't the case, you had games like Saint's Row where your character actually spoke (and you could choose and alter the voice) but sadly we seem to be moving in a direction where customizable protaginists mean silent protaginists. I mean look at Destiny, we spoke in the first one but the second one we don't breathe a word. Bungie even felt it nessicary to point this fact out by making you about to speak before your Ghost interupts you.
All it does is make me feel like a secondary character in my own game which sucks. Let's use Destiny from above, I'm not entirely sure I am the protaginist of that series anymore. Pretty sure I am the weapon for the Ghost character who won't shut up. I'M A FREAKING MEAT WEAPON!
If I had a choice between well developed uncustomizable characters and customizable empty shells I'm clearly going to pick the former.
I don't see how you can do this for a game like Uncharted which borders on movie like story telling and emotional cut scenes. I don't see why they couldn't add this to most 3rd person action games or RPG's.
Is this mostly about western 3rd person RPG's and actions games? Do any JRPG's offer this type of ability?
Is this mostly about western 3rd person RPG's and actions games? Do any JRPG's offer this type of ability?
I'm not big into gaming and I never really gave it any thought, but in the Animal Crossing thread, people were stoked about having the option to change their character's skin tone. That's so shitty that it wasn't an option before.
By Fenderputty Go To PostIs this mostly about western 3rd person RPG's and actions games? Do any JRPG's offer this type of ability?I have never seen a JRPG from this OR the 2000s to offer this. Gotta have your default white moe androgynous features locked in.
By Fenderputty Go To PostI don't see how you can do this for a game like Uncharted which borders on movie like story telling and emotional cut scenes. I don't see why they couldn't add this to most 3rd person action games or RPG's.
Is this mostly about western 3rd person RPG's and actions games? Do any JRPG's offer this type of ability?
By The Frankman Go To PostI have never seen a JRPG from this OR the 2000s to offer this. Gotta have your default white moe androgynous features locked in.Xenoblade X has it I think and the Souls series?
There's roughly ZERO chance a franchise like Uncharted works with customizable leads. It would completely deflate the narrative cohesiveness between Nate and the rest of the characters. And no, it's not because of facial animations.
It's because the VA would never be good enough to bring the character together with how Nathan interacts with the rest of the cast.
It's because the VA would never be good enough to bring the character together with how Nathan interacts with the rest of the cast.
Really interesting to see people bring up Uncharted. Besides games like The Sims and Mass Effect (where you are the character or creating one), I don't care. I'd much rather have a nicely written and designed character than customization. Which brings me back to Uncharted. You're not Drake. You're playing as Drake, right? So why would you customize him? He's his own person. That's just how I feel I guess...
That's why I liked Life is Strange so much, instead of letting the player make some arbitrary decision that shapes who Max is, we're in control of her actions.
I understand that this is mainly about looks, but looks inform a character. You don't have the shy character wearing weird, quirky clothes and eye catching hair. So, it only makes sense to me when the customized character's characterization isn't important to the narrative.
I also get wanting PoC representation and agree. But I don't think every game works with character customization. Especially narrative heavy and/or character focused stuff.
That's why I liked Life is Strange so much, instead of letting the player make some arbitrary decision that shapes who Max is, we're in control of her actions.
I understand that this is mainly about looks, but looks inform a character. You don't have the shy character wearing weird, quirky clothes and eye catching hair. So, it only makes sense to me when the customized character's characterization isn't important to the narrative.
I also get wanting PoC representation and agree. But I don't think every game works with character customization. Especially narrative heavy and/or character focused stuff.
It depends on the game. I like to make characters that look like me if given the chance to customize. Sometimes male, sometimes female, almost always brown-skinned.
If it's a character action/cinematic game I don't expect to be able to customize the look, but Bethesda style RPGs and sports games I will always edit them.
If it's a character action/cinematic game I don't expect to be able to customize the look, but Bethesda style RPGs and sports games I will always edit them.
By The Frankman Go To PostI have never seen a JRPG from this OR the 2000s to offer this. Gotta have your default white moe androgynous features locked in.Dragon Dogma, the Souls games, Monster Hunter?
By Hitch Go To PostCan see this becoming a discussion about what counts as a JRPG, so I'm outThe topic is not locked to RPGs but those Japanese made action RPGs or whatever category they fall under give you customization options with your character
By Prototype Viktor Go To PostIf you can customize but there is only 1 race/skin tone it's not customization to meI hate when they do that
By ClownsAreATen Go To PostWhat games do that?Pokemon Go had like white Asian and Indian lol
By Fenderputty Go To PostDivinity had full character customization.It's exactly the CC I love
I liked to be directed as much as possible. As long it has the option to put subtitles, I'm a ok. One of the reasons why I loved Witcher 3 (and the series in general), is that I did not have to spend an hour or so creating a character. Didn't feel like I missed a thing by not having a character creator.
By CruzAzul Go To PostI liked to be directed as much as possible. As long it has the option to put subtitles, I'm a ok. One of the reasons why I loved Witcher 3 (and the series in general), is that I did not have to spend an hour or so creating a character. Didn't feel like I missed a thing by not having a character creator.Witcher is one the games I was thinking about when I made this topic. Really disliked the main character so made it hard to play...most of it was writing but basic look played a fairly big part
By Prototype Viktor Go To PostIf you can customize but there is only 1 race/skin tone it's not customization to me
This is true.
By RedHoodedOwl Go To PostThis is true.
Xenoblade 1 and Animal Crossing for fucks sake.
By blackace Go To PostWitcher is one the games I was thinking about when I made this topic. Really disliked the main character so made it hard to play…most of it was writing but basic look played a fairly big part
Fair enough. I liked Geralt, he was a pretty weak character but I liked that he wasn't over-expressive or 0-100 from happiness to sadness in one conversation like so many other WRPG's. Man, what the hell, the writing is incredible. There are some missions in Witcher 2, and of course Witcher 3 that are some of the best in any game simply due to the writing.
By CruzAzul Go To PostFair enough. I liked Geralt, he was a pretty weak character but I liked that he wasn't over-expressive or 0-100 from happiness to sadness in one conversation like so many other WRPG's. Man, what the hell, the writing is incredible. There are some missions in Witcher 2, and of course Witcher 3 that are some of the best in any game simply due to the writing.How can he be a weak character but the writing was great?
The lore and shit was cool but I wanted to see and interact with it as anybody but him... But just having a skin change wouldn't have solved that problem I reckon
Reasonably important in games where I play a version of myself or anyway a made from scratch character (rpgs), completely unimportant in games where I play as someone else, especially when customization options are walled behind shitty achievements, like in Uncharted-type games.
This is now a fuck achievements thread. Nah, carry on. Fuck achievements and trophies though.
This is now a fuck achievements thread. Nah, carry on. Fuck achievements and trophies though.
It's not a make or break thing, but when games allow it I tend to really dig in.
Last time I played a Madden game I spent more time in Franchise mode adjusting hotdog prices and editing team colors than I did running plays.
I spend more time detailing cars in Forza than I do driving.
I prefer building and testing maps in Halo's Forge mode to pretty much anything else in the game.
Creating wrestlers in WWE games is usually more fun than the actual wrestling.
I really like RPGs that allow for a lot of re-specking of characters from the ground up.
Last time I played a Madden game I spent more time in Franchise mode adjusting hotdog prices and editing team colors than I did running plays.
I spend more time detailing cars in Forza than I do driving.
I prefer building and testing maps in Halo's Forge mode to pretty much anything else in the game.
Creating wrestlers in WWE games is usually more fun than the actual wrestling.
I really like RPGs that allow for a lot of re-specking of characters from the ground up.