Designing Character Customization Tools for Gender Inclusivity

At a recent Devcom event, Arden Osthof, a seasoned narrative designer, presented a talk titled "Playing with Gender: A Design Framework for Character Customization." The discussion focused on strategies for game developers to create more inclusive character customization tools. Osthof, who has worked on projects such as the Anno series and Tom Clancy's The Division 2, emphasized the importance of considering gender inclusivity in game design. They highlighted the need for game developers to move beyond binary gender options and provide players with more nuanced and flexible character customization choices. One approach Osthof suggested is to allow players to select their pronouns at the beginning of the game, as seen in the game 2064: Read Only Memories. Another approach is to create an ambiguous protagonist, removing all gender signifiers, as in the game Alone with You. Osthof also discussed the use of titles and names, such as in the game Sunless Seas, where players can choose from a list of options, including both gendered and gender-neutral titles. The talk also covered the topic of player avatars, with Osthof suggesting that developers should avoid presenting players with idealized bodies and instead offer more diverse and customizable options. They presented three ways to achieve this: working from a single body template and using blend shapes, offering archetypes that players can further customize, or having no template at all. Osthof encouraged developers to consider the following questions when designing character customization tools: How should players see their characters in-game? What are the genre conventions? How can you break the binary to increase choice? What are ways to be cost-effective without falling back on ideal bodies? The talk concluded with a discussion on designing for subtlety and variety, with Osthof emphasizing the importance of giving players the opportunity to represent themselves precisely. They suggested using sliders to provide granular steps in between binary options and introducing fashion and accessories to help players project themselves. Osthof also touched on the topic of letting players make statements about their identity in-game, such as through custom nicknames or meaningful interactions with NPCs. The talk provided valuable insights and practical advice for game developers looking to create more inclusive and diverse character customization tools.