for some reason it worked(and still works i think?) in uncharted, but the second other games started doing it i couldn't stand it
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Sony was nervous about Horizon's female protagonist, did lots of focus testing
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
for some reason it worked(and still works i think?) in uncharted, but the second other games started doing it i couldn't stand it
IncandescentPrecept
Banned
I'm sure there are people out there who refuse to buy a game because the lead is a white male or simply male. Even in this thread, there are people who say playing as a male is boring. But I doubt there are many people doing purchases based on gender going by sales of the games I mentioned.
Newtype-001
Member
Hey you said silent. Im all for her talking less. I dont like characters having to explain everything they're doing outloud.
The character is great.
Really wasn't impressed with the rest of it though, seems dumb as hell, while trying to keep a straight face.
It didn't work for me in TLOU, it's not working for me here. If you're going to have mushroom men or robot dinosaurs in your game, lighten the fuck up.
Really wasn't impressed with the rest of it though, seems dumb as hell, while trying to keep a straight face.
It didn't work for me in TLOU, it's not working for me here. If you're going to have mushroom men or robot dinosaurs in your game, lighten the fuck up.
Bomb-Threat
Banned
Thanks to sticking with ya guns GG... Don't change anything about the game... Just finish strong 
Corpsepyre
Banned
I think what he probably meant was that, since this is an RPG, he should be able to do whatever he wants to with his character and make her look the way he likes his characters. I hope that's what he meant.
biglittleps
Member
I dont agree, I need this narration because this give more immersion and get attached to the character deeply so we can find out how she is thinking contextually and learn more about the place she is (Just like Uncharted). An option to disable this is fine for those who don't want to but removing the narration is stupid and it breaks immersion for me.
stan423321
Member
Ahem.
Not sure what is that supposed to implicate. If it was a badass grandma, Sony wouldn't be as nervous about it?
Not sure what is that supposed to implicate. If it was a badass grandma, Sony wouldn't be as nervous about it?
MaxwellParrish
Member
Well, I suppose Sony wasn't exactly pleased for the sales results of Heavenly Sword or the IP wouldn't be dead by now...
And Horizon looks like a project of bigger scope and ambitions that both Heavenly Sword and Beyond, so I'm sure that they must have had a lot fears about its acceptance
GT did a "Just Played" on it last night on their E3 stream and they said it was Open World.
Omega Kirby
Member
I must feel empowered.
As for what gender to play as in games, I have no preference. It's whatever I choose in the moment. For instance, in ESO, I rolled a male Khajiit and a female Imperial (who I got to look pretty damn close to Furiosa).
That being said, and personal preferences aside and all of that, I think it's kind of important for males to play as female characters at least some of the time. I like to think that people playing in those roles, if they are inclined to get immersed in the game, are more likely to think of how things might be from a female perspective. I'm not saying it's going to cure misogyny or anything like that, but it can't hurt to put yourself in someone else's shoes when faced with certain situations.
That being said, and personal preferences aside and all of that, I think it's kind of important for males to play as female characters at least some of the time. I like to think that people playing in those roles, if they are inclined to get immersed in the game, are more likely to think of how things might be from a female perspective. I'm not saying it's going to cure misogyny or anything like that, but it can't hurt to put yourself in someone else's shoes when faced with certain situations.
Hitokiri03
Member
Cool that they didn't change it.
Different budget, Horizon is a AAA console game and Gravity Rush a handheld game.
Different budget, Horizon is a AAA console game and Gravity Rush a handheld game.
Here's the unfortunate truth, and why any business-man like Shu has to do it: sudies have been done time and time again that show such choices do impact the way people feel about characters, even if they are well designed. And that these things can often sell worse if they're not targeted properly. It's fucked up, immature... but it's the world we live in. I'm so glad this one made it through the filter, it's a remarkable design.
The question is if this is because of the way society has molded people, or if this is some innate quality humans sometimes can posses.
crazygambit
Member
Eh. I guess it depends on your definition of a flop. Maybe it didn't outright lose money, but it certainly didn't sell enough to warrant a sequel.
I agree. it doesn't make any difference to me whether I play as a man or woman. All that matters is that the character works, which it looks like in this case.
Also I don't understand the complain about her talking too much. I didn't find it intrusive and as for the mouth movement I thought we were getting to hear her thoughts (except when she says she's sorry to the watcher). Most people wouldn't really be talking all that much in the middle of battle, but they seemed like reasonable thoughts to have at the time.
Then again, maybe it was just a tutorial thing and during the game she's more quiet. Something I'm not sure I'd like to be honest.
John Bender
Banned
More like:
"Woman" is the focus here. Some people won't buy a game if it has a female main character.
God knows why....
Aloy fits perfectly here. Already love here. Great design, great character imho.
It's a business, and a business that is constantly evaluating and re-evaluating their decisions. I know that focus testing has this reputation for being stifling and creative-kryptonite, BUT the article specifically mentions that it did well in focus testing. That's a good thing, it's moving away from the types of attitudes that lead to a dearth of representation in game characters.
MagnaderAlpha
Member
She looks like how a LOT of REAL girls do, not the photoshopped models or actresses/singers that are under strict workout/diet regiments. Y'know, REAL, like someone you could actually pass while walking down the street. To me, real is always better! Definitely a plus, as far as female designs are concerned.
Aces&Eights
Member
Yes. It's sexist and condensending. It confirms your inability to be a decent human being.
Solid Samus
Banned
I'm not all that interested in Horizon tbh and part of that is honestly me trying to wrap my head around GG playing this whole "everything's super naturalistic, BUT ALSO ROBOTS" thing super duper straight. Like, would have at least appreciated being given some notion of why the fuck everything is robots.
Fucking pack of hunters going after robo-dinos like their lives depend on it. What does she want? Sure as fuck ain't food
Pretty much exactly how I feel
Fucking pack of hunters going after robo-dinos like their lives depend on it. What does she want? Sure as fuck ain't food
Pretty much exactly how I feel
Leafhopper
Banned
She was cracking jokes while fighting the giant robo T-rex thing.
Oh fuck, I forgot, Killzone devs, please LiK no.
Methamatics101
Member
I'm glad they kept her. Really digging her design.
Newtype-001
Member
Its not that deep.
It felt like their intent was that she's supposed to be Nathan Drake'ing it with quips.
Vincent Grayson
Member
Yeah, especially if she's mostly alone, I like the idea of her narrating/talking throughout. That's one of the things I've really enjoyed in the Witcher 3. Geralt is often just talking out loud about what he's seeing/doing/interacting with, and it works really well given there's no "party" to talk to.
It's for the demo. Better than some gangly dev talking over it.
wild wild rice
Member
People unconsciously expect women to look like photoshopped to hell and back Maxim covers or some shit.
Beerman462
Member
Definitely made the right move. Winter was the best part of TLOU.
It was pretty gratifying taking those guys out as Ellie. I wouldn't mind her being the protagonist in TLOU 2.
IncandescentPrecept
Banned
Well, it is a serious game. Plus, quips are common these days - DmC, Uncharted, The Last of Us, Bayonetta, Bulletstorm, Infamous.
It left a bad impression and made me like the character less.
Should have done some focus testing on that!
fuzzyreactor
Banned
Lol right. Think you digging deep there but keep up the good fight
I'm hyped as hell and enjoy playing as a female, but I also personally know people who refuse to buy or play a game where you can only be a female character. Sad but true, this is actually a thing. Its easy to forget that many male gamers literally roleplay and picture themselves in their games. This has been discussed to death though.
John Bender
Banned
Which will happen, I think
Uh, well...
Leafhopper
Banned
The only 2 of those games in that list I would consider serious are TLoU and Infamous. And yeah quips are common, so I guess that's why it doesn't bug me.
They're probably nervous because of the reaction some people have to games like Life is Strange characters. Even here on GAF you'll find some posts that would fuel their worries if they feel like many people agree with a sentiment. I think we're starting to come to a point where it matters less and less now, which is good.
I'm happy they kept the protagonist. Very happy that Guerrilla Games was able to keep her in. As for the speaking a lot, I figured it was just for E3 that they had the character talking so much. I can't imagine that they'll have her talk so much if she is alone. Maybe some lines but not as much as she was.
Sodding_Gamer
Member
Oh wow. That makes it all the more impressive with those amazing background visuals we saw.
That's actually something that I think is interesting to discuss from my perspective, which is the audience they seem to think they're appealing to with crazy body proportions and stupid clothes.
See, I'm one of the crazy dudes with waifus and shit, but stuff like this green haired girl:
I just find ridiculous. Now, I wouldn't go as far as being offended by that as some people, on the contrary, I like anime tits and ass, so I don't mind at all, but I wonder if they think they're appealing to me with that.
Judging just from the almost nothing we have on both her and Aloy, I'd definitely say without any doubts that Aloy is much more likely to be a "waifu" to me than her. I also would never use the swimsuit costumes in Persona 4 Golden, that's ridiculous. It's about the attachment I feel to the character and their personality, not how much skin they're showing and how big and bouncy the boobs are.
I'd be lying if I said being pretty doesn't matter, it absolutely does, but beauty doesn't come in a singular model, they don't all have to look the same to be pretty. And it's more about being cute than sexy.
So there you go, some waifu theory to discuss over the top character design.
Always worrying to hear how much doubt there still is about such things.
At least in this case everything went well. And look at the reactions for the game? Hype everywhere!
Now think about all those games that we will never know about that had similar discussions but ended up changing it....
This Year E3 seems to be a good step in the right Direction. With this as my E3 Highlight (along with Nier2 and Fallout), Faith in Mirrors Edge, Emily in Dishonored 2, the second Assassins Creed Protag etc.
It is a long way, but i'm more positive about the way the industry goes in that regard after this E3
At least in this case everything went well. And look at the reactions for the game? Hype everywhere!
Now think about all those games that we will never know about that had similar discussions but ended up changing it....
This Year E3 seems to be a good step in the right Direction. With this as my E3 Highlight (along with Nier2 and Fallout), Faith in Mirrors Edge, Emily in Dishonored 2, the second Assassins Creed Protag etc.
It is a long way, but i'm more positive about the way the industry goes in that regard after this E3
Naughty_Doge
Member
Ygritte.
MatrixMan.EXE
Member
This is one of the worst posts I've seen on GAF, ever.
Not sure what your post has to do with the one I wrote...