In the survival MMO H1Z1 a new female player model has been introduced. However, it should closely resemble the male model.
Since last Friday, there are also female player models in H1Z1. In an interview with gamespot, the H1Z1 Art Director explained the reasoning behind the design: mainly “equality.”
They did not want to give female models any advantages over the male ones; hence, both men and women in H1Z1 use the “same skeleton.” Therefore, the female character is made to be “athletic” and “authentic.” Between the lines, one might read a kind of “tomboyishness” into it, but the Art Director is doing everything to avoid stepping into a minefield here. Although horror films suggest otherwise, it seems that “athletic” women are given the greatest chances of survival in a zombie apocalypse.
To put it politically incorrect: An athletic body shape seems to be code for little breasts, little hips, and little butt.
The female characteristics are not very pronounced. The silhouette should remain the same for both male and female models.
The same applies to clothing. Here, “unisex” is the keyword. Everything that fits the man should also fit the woman. This way, there are no differences, and players don’t have to click through irritating menus. In a zombie apocalypse, jeans and T-shirts are what you wear.
In the future, H1Z1 wants to introduce more options to differentiate one’s hero or heroine from others: including different skin tones, voices, and hairstyles.
