Diablo IV has finally been released after almost ten years of anticipation.
As soon as the action role-playing game (RPG) is loaded, one of the first things you'll do is change the appearance of your character.
To make its newest game the most inclusive in the series, developer Blizzard claims to have given players more customisation options than ever.
Some people, however, are not persuaded and want businesses to take additional measures to ensure that everyone feels represented.
Character customization is not a new feature; you can change your appearance in everything from Animal Crossing to Dead by Daylight.
However, it is something that is showing up more frequently in contemporary games.
You might have only had a few different looks to choose from in the past, but players now have a wide range of choices.
That partly addresses complaints from gamers of color, LGBT people, and women who felt they lacked sufficient options.
And since Diablo IV can be played for more than 100 hours, there was a high demand to increase them.
The fantasy game offers five character classes, each with a unique set of skills: barbarian, rogue, sorcerer, necromancer, and druid.
From there, players can select a body type, alter their skin tone, hairstyle, and body piercings.
Learning about the new options was an emotional experience for gamers like Ashlyn.
The Twitch user Actually Arcane shared a video of her emotional response to first meeting the character designer for Diablo IV.
She says when she opened the character creation screen, she noticed that the character was "built like me, like someone who is just naturally broad-shouldered and big boned.".
Because I recognized myself in a game that I had been eager to play, it was a really moving moment.
"I still have a really hard time finding a character that looks like me with any kind of body diversity, despite all the character customization options that are available in many games today. ".
According to Ashlyn, she was surprised by the response to her video, which has received over 1.5 million views on Twitter.
However, she is pleased that it has highlighted how important representation in video games can be.
The things that Diablo IV forbids you from doing have also drawn criticism.
Character classes are linked to body types; if you want a fuller-figured avatar, you must choose a druid or a barbarian, while those who prefer a slimmer avatar must play as a mage or a rogue.
Although Ashlyn believes Diablo has moved in the right direction, she would still like to see a change in the future.
I really want to see that subversion of expectations, she says.
Not only she but others believe that games could accomplish more.
Black and LGBT+ gamers like him, according to Twitch streamer Ben Thompson, also known by his handle ReadySteadyBen.
Ben cites black hairstyles as an example of how some games still struggle with representation.
They'll either insert these square-shaped dreadlocks or funny afros. The target is missed. ".
He claims that while Diablo IV has a wide variety of skin tones, other options, like the pre-set hairstyle options, are too constrained.
Ben, however, believes that the problem extends beyond just one game and that the industry as a whole varies greatly in terms of how well it represents everyone.
Tulay McNally, an industry insider who has worked for well-known companies like EA, claims it can be difficult for businesses to keep up, particularly given how long games can take to produce.
Developers strive to act morally, but they sometimes aren't able to because of technological limitations, according to the author.
She notes that new body types and features must be animated and researched, which requires additional development time and resources.
Online rumors are rampant regarding whether Blizzard will expand the customisation options in a future update.
Making games more inclusive is now seen as good business, according to Tulay, who currently works for the LGBT organization Out Making Games.
According to her, customization is important because it increases player immersion and engagement.
"By giving your players more character options, you're increasing the number of players who interact with your service and realize their aspirations. ".
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