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[Column] General: Crowfalls Disappointing Move
SBFord
Former Associate EditorMember LegendaryPosts: 33,129
These days, given how jaded some people are with MMORPGs, there’s a lot of talk of both doing something different and bringing certain things back to the genre in a specific game project. With crowdfunding, it’s important that a game appeal to the potential audience, but also that the developers are able to deliver the most complete project in a reasonable fashion. Yet, with a game like Crowfall, riding a successful Kickstarter campaign as of this writing of over $1.3 million with days to go, one of my biggest pet peeves in the genre has popped up again, and is a huge disappointment: gender locked classes.
Read more of Christina Gonzalez's The Social Hub: Crowfall's Disappointing Move.
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I think the gripe here about gender locked classes is a bit misleading.
Most gripes about mmorpgs with gender locked classes, suffer from ALL classes being gender locked. Think of games like Diablo 2, where the sorceress was JUST a female, and the barbarian was just a male. (yes, i know D2 isnt an mmorpg, however many mmorpgs copied this format for gender locking classes).
In crowfalls case, the genderlock is only on a couple unique and specific classes, and it has plenty of lore to back up why this is the case. This sort of gender locking is fine IMO. It helps build the game world lore and make the game much more unique.
For many games, with gender locking, its 90% case of developer laziness or lack of resources, and 10% an attempt at making the "class" seem more like a predefined recognizable "hero". Diablo 3 showed that with a little extra effect, both genders could be done without an issue. However, when you take games like Lord of the Rings Online, which has no female dwarves, its done intentionally regardless of available resources. AND THIS IS OK. Its part of the lore.
I think its important to keep the 2 different types of games that use any form of gender locking seperate when it comes to having an issue with it. Because you are either saying you are upset the devs didnt take the time to impliment it, or you are saying something completely different, that you dont like or care for the lore aspect of the game that helps set it apart and make it interesting and unique.
Genderlocked classes generally don't bother me, as long as they're done properly, like Zewks said above. For example, if you're dealing with classes based on amazons or buddhist monks, it actually makes sense to an extent for them to be genderlocked.
As long as they mesh well and most of the classes aren't genderlocked, it doesn't bother me.
Same here. I thought it was actually some big news. I consider this irrelevant. Obviously the person writing the column finds it a big deal, however.
Nothing wrong with wanting to see male and female of every archetype. What I do think is terribly wrong is to call the decision "lazy". I find it a bit irresponsible to accuse a design team of being lazy just because one doesn't agree with their design decision. No need for the name calling when what's really going on is a difference in priorities. Even in the final paragraph, there are some very nice things said but it's negated by the over-the-top slander toward the beginning of the piece.
Edit: Here's a visual breakdown on Crowfall's Archetypes for those who might not be familiar:
It's also relevant to note that the Female Centaur was recently added. The Minotaur won't technically be included in the core module until the KS reaches $1.5M.
The locked genders in POE stopped me from trying out the archer... just doesn't feel right.
Same goes for the Rogue in lé Diablo 1....
Doesn't bother me in moba's though, I suppose there is less attachment to the character there?
I noticed you said ''many in the community are unhappy'' with gender locking. I think thats total BS. I visit the forums, and other media outlets and this is the first time ive seen anyone cry about it.
They are a small company and many such as me are helping to fund it. I certainly dont want them spending my money developing a gender / class combo that hardly anyone will play.
Wow. The author really needs to get over himher self.
Agree. I find this article very unprofessional.
"I don't give a sh*t what other people say. I play what I like and I'll pay to do it too!" - SerialMMOist
I am fine with genderlocked classes as long as the reason makes sense in lore - but if for some reason you tell me the "Mage" or "Ranger" can only be female, while the "Cleric" and "Warrior" can only be male - I get pretty annoyed.
Not that it is a gamebreaker, if it is indeed a fun game to play, but if it does not have any substantial matter to make it worth playing - then the sore thumb that is genderlocking stands out like...well..a sore thumb.
Originally posted by Arskaaa
"when players learned tacticks in dungeon/raids, its bread".
If "dog eat dog" is not your thing then this is not the game you're looking for anyway.
I take it you're talking about CF specifically then? Because this issue is very, very old - and I've seen it countless times over the years. You can expect to see it pop up more regarding CF too in today's market where people have gotten very used to picking the gender they like.
I'm fairly neutral when it comes to this. All the classes that I want to play are already the genders I want them to be, or have the option to be both.
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
https://www.ashesofcreation.com/ref/Callaron/
Most original comment ever!
Not!
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
https://www.ashesofcreation.com/ref/Callaron/
"and is a huge disappointment: gender locked classes."
This is how i feel about Black Desert. I also remember the complaints about Tera's Reaper class, where only Elin can be a reaper.
People generally dislike gender-locked classes, because they want to identify with male and female humanoids, with a class they might enjoy.
Is it more immersive to restrict genders, due to the "fantasy medieval" era? Sure, but immersion needs to be sacrificed for enjoyment. I don't want to get too political, but most of you would never approve of gender-locked "careers" in the real world, yet find it acceptable in virtual worlds due to immersion and lore.
This also restricts RP'ers, who want to create backstories for their classes, by restricting them to genders. RPG creativity limited once again.
It's no secret that devs do not create both genders for classes, due to the amount of work they need to do with animations and gear, but i woudln't say they were lazy. It's obvious they didn't prioritize this in their design, and made this decision due to lore.
I also agree with the author about MOBA's and MMO's. Within an MMO, you spend longer time with your characters, and you build up progression, and the interactions with other people is more prominent.
No worries, I'll still be able to sleep tonight, more of a first world problem really, whether or not this title can deliver a successful MMO on a shoestring budget is more of a concern.
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Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
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"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Which classes are actually gender-locked? Most of the human-looking ones are not, and I know the Centaur was gender-locked, but no more, that was one of the first stretch goals.
T
Yup, extreme overreaction to a trivial issue.
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