So a big move made by 343i in this game was the removal of genders, opting for a simple “Body Type” customization that goes between a slim body, an average body, and a slightly slimmer than average body. This feature was added no doubt to help the inclusivity of the LGBTQ+, for which I have no problem with. The only problem that I have with this is that they don’t really seem to make a difference. Allow me to explain.
In Halo 5, we had an M/F scroller that not only changed the body type drastically but also altered the armor. Shoulder Pads and Chestplates and such were slimmed down or bulked up depending on gender, as well as the body. Players had a lot of customization options by doing this. Certain armor would look better on Males and vice versa. It also gave us a better look at how the armor works in-universe for Halo.
However, with the new customization options, the only notable changes are with the waist and that is about all. I have no problem with inclusivity in Halo but I think if we are going to have it, it should be notable.
That is all I have. I’d love to hear the opinions on this.
I personally like that Armor looks the same now no matter the body type. Some things looked cooler on the female spartan or vice versa. But i would not be opposed to more body types being added since we only have 3? Seems low. Would also like to add that I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I see where both sides are coming from. Adding more options would benefit both sides. Also in case anyone doesn’t know we are getting a decent amount of voices to pick from for our spartan. Was just unavailable in the last flight, but was in the waypoint app.
I would like more body types the options given seem to lack any indication of -Yoink!-.
Labeling them as numbers is great but id like to see the option to make a more effeminate spartan.
I’m sure many LGBTQ+ people would feel similarly.
But we’ll said ya the armor being one size fits all is a big change, just not sure if I care or not. Kind of think ill just think of it like this.
Gen 2 had sizes.
Gen 3 platform isn’t bespoke so it is more easily modified.
Thats a good approach, actually, maybe a new body type that does change the armor, see my thought process was more of a “What if someone wants to do a kat armor set, or a jorge armor set and they need chunkier or slimmer armor?”
I don’t mind it. I typically play as female character in most games, but at the same time I don’t need an overly sexualized model either. Not saying that’s what we got in 5, the armor was modest enough. But it still catered to the hourglass shaped female model.
I for one like the change, where if I wanted to I could make a hulking Jorge-esque female spartan brick house. The voice options are what really win me over in this regard.
Another great point! After all, we wouldn’t want a Buzzfeed article critiquing Halo in the fashion of Injustice. As for finding a balance between fit-body-types per gender, I think Destiny is a good example of this. They deliver a slim and muscular female base without over-sexualizing it and such.
I recover this topic for a moment to add that surely the difference between the body types was not wanted to highlight so much to avoid situations like those of Halo Reach where the female body had a lower hitbox than the male body, marking a slight advantage to the players who used it.
Bring the old bodies back, this new body morphing slider is unappealing. I liked having the option of a male or female with different builds, if you really have, to give them the bland body as a third option.
I have no problem with inclusivity. But not only did they remove genders for Infinite, but they rolled out an update on MCC that removed genders as well. I use a lot of the customization for RP purposes (I’m terrible at drawing so screenshotting my Spartan for reference is easiest). I support the LGBTQ+ community as much as the next person as I fall under the “T” category. But myself and a friend of mine are on track with this. We’re not a fan of 343’s decision to be All Inclusive and then remove Male and Female from the list, to keep Non-binary as the only viable option. It’s a contradiction that 343 is either unaware of, or just doesn’t seem to want to care about. I’m surprised the entire community for Halo isn’t bothered by this. But you have at the very least shown me that there is a light at the end of that tunnel in particular and that I’m not the only person bothered by this.
I think they did it the only way they could do it in a practical sense, which is by ignoring that there are physical differences between actual sexes. It keeps the hitboxes consistent, makes it easier for the design team, and allows the PR team to claim inclusion is there across the board, just obscured by androgynous armor.
Unfortunately it’s a discussion that can’t really be held. If you don’t unilaterally support a decision made based around inclusion (regardless of your reasoning or merit of that reasoning) you run the very real risk of having your (figurative) vocal cords clipped.
Let’s just say for a moment that it was a decision for hitboxes. Then why did they not enact this kind of change when they first released H4? Why only now when Infinite is coming out? There were never any problems with the hitboxes in the previous games, as all of them were the same. It’s not very ‘constructive’, at least imho. The smart move would’ve been to add Non-binary as a third ‘Gender’ option. The biggest peeve though is companies are trying to appease everyone at the same time, which is a pointless endeavor in of itself. If my friend weren’t stuck on a 24-hour ratelimit thing, he’d be commenting here as well. As I said I have no problem with having a Non-binary option, as I support LGBTQ+ but all-inclusive usually means Male/Female/Non-Binary. Not just simply Non-Binary. But we’ll see what the coming months bring. I’m sure there will be increasing pressure on 343. So maybe, just maybe it’ll be reverted to some degree.
You’re forgetting the other end of it, which is if you clearly assign an appearance to a “type”, you’re doing it “wrong”. That’s the issue I think they’re smart for avoiding. Also, preventing people from discriminating based on the chosen body type and using requisite slurs and insults. It was all around safe decision making, and smart because it avoids them having to really take a stance on the whole discussion.
I don’t think it’s hitbox driven at all, was just pointing out that particular benefit. Generally speaking, I think a lot more people are moderate on the topic than not, but the “not” currently carry the megaphone and thats who companies are going to either cater to or at least attempt to avoid confrontation with.