After nearly a decade of anticipation, Diablo IV has been released. The action RPG’s character creation screen is one of the first places you’ll see after starting the game.
According to developer Blizzard, it has provided players with more customization options than ever before to make its latest game the most accessible in the series.
However, some individuals are unconvinced and want businesses to go further to ensure that everyone feels represented. Every game from Animal Crossing to Dead by Daylight has always had the option to customize your character.
However, it is something that is gaining prominence in modern games. In the past, there may have only been a handful of appearances to choose from, but now players have a vast array of options.
This is in part a response to complaints from female, LGBT, and minority gamers that they lacked sufficient options. And in a game like Diablo IV, which can be played for over 100 hours, there was a significant demand to increase them.
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The fantasy game offers five character classes with distinct abilities: barbarian, rogue, sorcerer, necromancer, and druid. Players can then select a body type, alter skin tones and hairstyles, and add tattoos and piercings.
Emotional moments occurred when players like Ashlyn discovered the new options. Actually Arcane, a Twitch streamer, uploaded a video of her emotive reaction to Diablo IV’s character creator.
She says –
“I pulled up the character creation screen and thought ‘that character is built like me, like somebody who is just naturally broad-shouldered, big boned.'”
“It was really a powerful moment because I was seeing myself in a game that I had been so excited to play.”
“Even with all the character customisations that are available in a lot of games nowadays, it’s still really hard for me to get a character that looks like me with any kind of body diversity.”
Ashlyn says the response to her video, which has been seen more than 1.5 million times on Twitter, astonished her. But she’s glad it’s brought attention to how representation in video games can make a substantial impact. Diablo IV has also been criticized for the limitations it imposes.
Character classes are linked to body types. If you want to play as a character with a bigger body, you have to choose a druid or a barbarian. If you want to play as a character with a smaller body, you have to choose a mage or a rogue.
Ashlyn believes Diablo has taken a step in the correct direction, but she would like to see developers challenge norms even further. Ben Thompson, better known to his followers as ReadySteadyBen on Twitch, concurs.
Black and LGBT+ gamers, according to him, could be more supported. Ben cites black hairstyles as an example of a game feature that is not yet accurate.
He says –
“They’ll put comical afros in it, or they’ll put in these square shaped dreadlocks. It misses the mark.”
He says Diablo IV has a wide range of complexion tones but other options, such as the pre-set hairstyle selections, are too limited.
Ben, however, believes that the issue extends beyond a single game, and that the industry as a whole varies greatly when it comes to reflecting everyone.
Industry insider Tulay McNally, who has worked for major companies such as EA, asserts that it can be difficult for businesses to keep up with the rapid development of video games.
She says –
“Developers want to do the right thing but the technology doesn’t always allow them to do the things that they want to do.”
She notes that new body types and features must be animated and researched, which necessitates additional development time and costs.
Online rumors circulate as to whether Blizzard will expand customization options in a future patch. It could be worth its while.
Tulay, who is currently employed by the LGBT organisation Out Making Games, has stated that it is smart business to make games more welcoming to all audiences.
She says –
“Customisation matters because it enhances the immersion and engagement for players.”
“If there are more character options, you’re broadening your player base because you’re allowing more of those players to engage with your product and fulfil those dreams.”
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