[Suggestion] Allow to modify the player character for each start

[Pesanur]

Now, for each of the different starts, we have a fixed character, how about the ability to modify it gender and appearance withing the race of the start?

[Buzz2005]

can you see yourself other then through the cockpit window of the ship when you are in 3d person view?

[exogenesis]

I think Pesanor means gender, not genre.

I agree though, I started my only (21 game day) game with 'Untested Explorer',
not realising that I would be the female character Selaia Tarren.

Didn't dawn on me until I was well in to my empire,
& I find it a bit disconcering to called 'maam', when being welcomed / acknowledged on some stations !

[radcapricorn]

Even though Ego likes to say something along the lines of "your character can be anyone you want", so far they've made nothing but the contrary: specific races and genders locked to specific starts; one character's name is even "hard-recorded" in the intro narration ("Val Selton's log..."). Thankfully, at least we can still rename him. Considering that so far the race, gender and name in game are purely cosmetic, it'd be great if we actually had a choice of those regardless of game start.

can you see yourself other then through the cockpit window of the ship when you are in 3d person view?

Have you not seen the Paranid or Teladi in 3rd person view while in space suit? The latter one especially looks strangely amusing

You know what else is missing though? Character's shadow in first person. I think there's shadow when your EVAing, but not when you're walking around.

[Techedge]

Even though Ego likes to say something along the lines of "your character can be anyone you want", so far they've made nothing but the contrary: specific races and genders locked to specific starts; one character's name is even "hard-recorded" in the intro narration ("Val Selton's log..."). Thankfully, at least we can still rename him. Considering that so far the race, gender and name in game are purely cosmetic, it'd be great if we actually had a choice of those regardless of game start.

Still, a big advance from Ren Otani...

[adeine]

Selectable gender would be a great addition, and should be a lot easier to implement than full customisation.

[CBJ]

A character editor that allows you to change your character's appearance would be a huge undertaking, especially when compared to the benefit it would provide in terms of added gameplay. While that kind of thing makes a lot of sense in multi-player game, for a single-player it really isn't a good use of the available development resources.

Some minor customisation, such as being able to select a race and gender, might be possible, however.

[mr.WHO]

I never expected me to say these words, but I'd like to select my gender
I mean simple choice between male or female model...


...hmm this could be problematic for some people...


...also Paranid have like 7 genders according to the lore...
...also most of Teladi are genderless and that Teladi females are ultra rare outside of their homeworld planet...



...OK ,you're right...

#itscomplicated

[radcapricorn]

Teladi females are ultra rare outside of their homeworld planet...

It's the opposite.

[RoverTX]

Some minor customisation, such as being able to select a race and gender, might be possible, however.

Just being able to select from the existing templates would be awesome.

[adeine]

I never expected me to say these words, but I'd like to select my gender
I mean simple choice between male or female model...


...hmm this could be problematic for some people...


...also Paranid have like 7 genders according to the lore...
...also most of Teladi are genderless and that Teladi females are ultra rare outside of their homeworld planet...



...OK ,you're right...

#itscomplicated

Don't see how it has to be complicated, the assets are already in the game. Just have a little drop down next to the game start with the available choices in gender and/or race (if applicable, many game starts would not make sense to offer a free choice in race) and set the player model and form of address accordingly? The latter of which is also already in the game.

[Meme Turtle]

Is there a single mirror to actually see your character model? I am pretty sure player is just a camera floating in space.

[adeine]

Is there a single mirror to actually see your character model? I am pretty sure player is just a camera floating in space.

Space suit and external camera, but perhaps more importantly it affects how people address you in game. If you pick a game start based on solely on what it offers, it essentially locks you in to being addressed as a man/woman/whathaveyou. No female version of the young gun start, for example.