Summary
The world of Massive Multiplayer Online games draws thousands of players into a unique, digital world, pitting them togethercooperatively against eventsor placing them in PVP scenarios to see who the most skilled player truly is. Aside from fun content and an engaging world, another key to success in MMOs is in-depth character customization.
Every MMO normally starts by allowing gamers to select a race and then make any necessary tweaks to their appearance, determining their hair, facial features, and additional accessories such as scars or tattoos, and there are even some studios that go the extra mile by adding sliders for body types and height. For those looking forgreat character customization options in MMOs, there are many options available.
One of themain components of anyD&Dcampaign is character creation. These games can run for years depending on the party, so it is vital that players create a character that they enjoy playing as, mixing and matching lineages, races, classes, subclasses, alignment, and backgrounds to create someone who is interesting and complex with their own wants, needs, and personality.
An MMO can easily take up as much time, but thankfully, Cryptic Studios allowsNeverwinterplayers to create characters with just as much depth. While players can’t expect to find as much freedom with their appearances asBlack Desert, for example, they can still choose many races, classes, and backgrounds found in the pen and paper game, allowing them to customize their characters' origins as well as their looks.
Despite the name of the game, the crux ofGuild Wars 2’s storyline revolves around the emergence of the five Elder Dragons that have been slumbering beneath the continent. Their awakening causes all manner of destruction that the player characters find themselves in the middle of. But before they gather their party, they first need to make it.
Guild Wars 2allows players to choose from aunique roster of racesand classes for an experience unlike any other MMO, but alongside the limited but still decent appearance options, there are more options beyond aesthetic, such as the character’s backstory. Depending on what race is chosen, a series of questions is presented to determine the character’s profession, personality, and personal story. The answers can affect the reaction NPCs have to the character, which adds an extra layer of immersion to this already excellent game.
When discussing MMO’s,World of Warcraftis likely the first one that comes to mind. It is by far the most popular online game, and even non-gamers are likely to recognize the title. Its popularity has led to Blizzard continuing development even two decades down the line,releasing more expansionsthat add content, including customization options.
Expansions such asDragonflightallowed players a more diverse and vibrant range of hair and eye colors to create more eye-catching characters, and the more recentShadowlandsallowed players to tweak things like ear length for elves, levels of decay for Forsaken, and a wider range of skin tones for even more diversity. With how muchWorld of Warcraftis thriving, it is likely fans can expect even more customization options in the future.
The firstDestinyproved largely a success among players, even if there were some criticisms against the promised single-player experience, which wasn’t exactly what a few fans were hoping for. But the popularitywarranted a second gamethat promised to be bigger and better than before, and it lived up to this promise.
The MMO looter-shooter would not be complete without character customization, which is exactly what it provides players with before they begin their adventure. But if players change their mind, they are free to revisit the customization screen throughout the game to try on a new hairstyle or change their makeup.
Square Enix is mostly known for creating theirhit fantasy RPG seriesFinal Fantasy, which treats fans to well crafted lore, sprawling storylines, and casts of likable characters. By the time the 14th installment came around, the studio was ready to branch out and try something a little different.
This game turned out to be an MMORPG, allowing fans to enjoy a newFinal Fantasyexperience with their friends. One great aspect of the world is the many unique races featured within, such as Miqo’te, Viera, and Au Ra, to name just a few. Not only do gamers have the option to play one of these races, but they can customize their faces, hair, eyes, and even add extras such as tattoos. The amount of customization options available ensures that nearly everyone playingFinal Fantasy 14will have a wholly original and unique look.
Black Desert Online, a free fantasy MMO developed by Korean games studio Pearl Abyss, became very popular among MMORPG fans and even lured in non-fans with its promise of an in-depth and well-implemented customization system that allowed players to dedicate hours to crafting their masterpieces. What is even better is that it is all for free;no buy-in cost or subscription is needed.
Tales of its customization were very true, as players could highlight different parts of their character’s face and tweak them to absolute perfection, including cheeks, ears, forehead - just about anything one can see can be tailored. As for the game itself, it follows most typical MMO gameplay styles that places an emphasis on getting a little help from friends. Some grinding may be needed, but at least gamers can do so in style.
