CI Games Shocks Gaming Industry: Vows to Remove Body Type A/B for Male/Female Options Based on Player Votes in Lords of the Fallen and Future Titles

In response to Marek Tymiński’s popular poll about gender selection in medieval fantasy RPGs, the CEO of CI Games has firmly declared a position that is likely to be appreciated by many gamers. With an impressive 88% of over 49,000 voters expressing preference for the traditional “male or female” character options, Tymiński made it clear via X that the studio will cater to these preferences in future games and even make adjustments to the game Lords of the Fallen to match player feedback.

Based on more than 49,000 votes cast, approximately 88% of you expressed a preference for the “male/female” character options. As a studio that prioritizes players, we plan to adjust Lords of the Fallen (2023) and future games in this series to reflect your choice. Stay tuned for updates.

— Marek Tyminski (@tyminski_marek) January 15, 2025

Based on more than 49,000 votes cast, approximately 88% of you expressed a preference for the ‘male/female’ option,” he stated. “As a studio that prioritizes the player experience, we will adjust Lords of the Fallen (2023) and subsequent games in the series to reflect these preferences. Stay tuned for updates.

2023 saw the release of Lords of the Fallen, a game that sparked debate for its decision to eliminate traditional male/female character options, instead opting for inclusivity. This move was met with criticism from gamers weary of identity politics in mainstream AAA games.

This announcement signifies a major transformation within the industry, as it effectively discards the longstanding “Body Type A/B” system that has sparked intense debate surrounding gender politics in gaming. Interestingly, this is the first instance where a studio appears to have taken fan feedback seriously and implemented a change to distance themselves from perceived woke ideologies, following the release of their game.

Body Type A/B in this game is set up to offer players a variety of characters, both traditionally masculine and feminine, without using the terms “male” or “female.” However, feedback from CI Games’ audience suggests a preference for simpler, traditional character creation methods that don’t involve gender politics within the gaming environment.

I’m genuinely impressed by the bold step taken by CI Games in modifying the character creation system in Lords of the Fallen, specifically the removal of Body Type A/B. Such a move is rarely seen in game development, given that altering a game’s core elements isn’t an easy task. This decision underscores their dedication to their players and, if successfully executed, reinforces their reputation as a studio that truly puts its players first, just as Tyminski claimed.

The studio’s eagerness to make changes based on feedback from players stands out compared to other developers like BioWare with “Dragon Age: The Veilguard”. This game offered numerous advanced customization features, such as combining voice types and including top surgery scars, but its commercial disappointment indicates that these adjustments may have turned off a large segment of the player community.

This move by CI Games might create a wave of change across the gaming sector. Many game developers have adopted progressive customization features, sometimes at the cost of player preferences. The negative response to Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which struggled with poor sales, high refund rates, and low resale value, stands as a warning about handling such issues improperly. By actively interacting with players and acting on their suggestions, CI Games has set itself apart as a studio that prioritizes the player in an industry frequently criticized for disregarding fan feedback.

This instance could signify something greater than just a shift in a single game. For CI Games, it’s a daring statement: the player’s opinion is significant. Whether other studios will adopt this approach is yet to be determined, but for now, Tymiński has established a benchmark that others might want to follow.

2025-01-16 17:55

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