Action RPG Developers Turn to Provocative Armor Designs to Capture Player Attention

In the crowded landscape of video games, the team behind the action RPG Lords of the Fallen 2 is making a concerted effort to carve out a niche. Recently, the developers at Hexworks showcased their latest female armor designs on social media, claiming they were crafted with fan feedback in mind. Their pride in these designs, which they describe as “provocative,” led to the release of a 20-minute behind-the-scenes video.

“Provocative” might be one way to put it, but “generic” could also fit. If I stumbled upon the artwork without context, I might think it was generated by a vague AI prompt for a female character in a dark fantasy setting. This might be a reflection of the game’s overall aesthetic, which lacks distinctiveness.

The armor sets were highlighted by an influencer in a YouTube video titled “We need more devs like this.” In the video, the influencer argues that many Western game developers are missing the mark when it comes to meeting player expectations. To support this claim, she points to several recent shooters that received a tepid response. However, she doesn’t critique the character designs of those games, which would be a more relevant comparison; instead, she suggests that the market is oversaturated. While that may hold some truth, it’s worth noting that Lords of the Fallen 2 doesn’t belong to the same genre as the titles she mentions.

The video is sponsored, which adds a layer of positivity to the narrative. The influencer describes a design process where the artists of Lords of the Fallen 2 adjusted character designs in real time, responding to both fan input and her own suggestions. “They are a studio that refuses to be lectured or gaslit into making a different game than the one they have set out to create,” she states, emphasizing the studio’s openness to external feedback.

Later, she outlines several perceived shortcomings in Western character design that she believes Lords of the Fallen 2 addresses. “The same desaturated color palettes, the overly tactical outfits, the stripped-down femininity, almost like an embarrassment to the female body itself,” she critiques. “Hips and busts get slimmed down, shoulders and jawlines get bulked up, and anything that reads as too feminine gets dialed back.”

This could be a nod to games like Overwatch, which recently faced scrutiny after redesigning a female character whose in-game model differed from the initial design shown to players. In that case, the character’s features were altered in response to fan feedback. This topic has been a recurring theme, as seen in the discussions surrounding Abby’s muscular design in The Last of Us 2.

From the comments in the video, it seems many viewers appreciate the narrative that Lords of the Fallen 2 is doing something noteworthy. Regardless of the reality, this approach serves as effective marketing for a game that has struggled to gain mainstream traction.

“Who would have thought that devs who give players what they want are much more liked?” reads one of the top comments on YouTube.

While I maintain a critical perspective, it’s important to recognize that these design choices are subjective. If the armor sets evoke the feel of something an AI might generate, it’s likely because they reflect the most popular aesthetics. Catering to the masses can often lead to a lack of uniqueness. Lords of the Fallen 2 may be delivering what some players desire, and that’s a strong marketing strategy. However, in a gaming environment where titles like Marvel Rivals push boundaries and Steam is filled with bold offerings, it’s a stretch to label any of LotF 2’s standard female designs as truly “provocative.”