Crimson desert players get character creation freedom thanks to mod

The limitations of Crimson Desert’s initial character design – a locked-in role as Kliff and a couple of distinctly underwhelming companions – have been dramatically addressed by the modding community. A newly released ‘Character Creator – Female’ mod is granting players the ability to build bespoke female characters within the game.

A stitch in time saves nine: modding brings customization to crimson desert

Developed by Khione95, the mod leverages the game’s barber function to create a surprisingly robust character creation system. Featuring 98 face presets and 159 hairstyles, the mod offers a level of visual customization previously unavailable. A male version is slated for release shortly, expanding the mod’s potential further.

Currently, players utilizing the mod can craft a fully customized female protagonist using the female human preset, with most armor sets adjusted to seamlessly integrate with the new form. Development is ongoing, promising even greater customization options, including the incorporation of races like orc and goblin, and a complete suite of female animations.

Pearl abyss’s stumbles and the modders’ triumph

The mod’s arrival comes amidst ongoing criticism of Crimson Desert’s narrative, a point echoed by numerous players. Many have pointed to the stark contrast between this newfound creative control and Pearl Abyss’s decision not to utilize the widely acclaimed character creator from its flagship title, Black Desert Online. One fan succinctly put it: “The story just wasn’t strong enough to justify not using BDO’s unbelievable character creator.”

Voices of disappointment: a chorus of frustration

Comments online are rife with frustration. “I just don’t get it,” one player commented, “Why didn’t they just implement a system like Cyberpunk 2077? Keep the same story, but allow us to edit the character. What’s so hard about it?” Another expressed outright confusion: “They really dropped the ball with this one. It would have been so easy to be a 10/10 game.”

Kliff’s journey: a tale of development changes

The story behind the game’s evolution is revealing. Alec Newman, the actor portraying Kliff, shared details in an interview with Friends Per Second, detailing how the character – initially known as Macduff – underwent significant transformation throughout the five-year recording process. Newman recounts that the game began as an MMORPG prequel, evolving into its current single-player format with a narrative that solidified gradually. “It felt very much like making a TV series where they kept moving the focus,” he admitted, highlighting the shifting priorities during development.

A glimmer of hope: combining mods for a truly personalized experience

Adding another layer to the customization, Ev3n5taR’s Kliff Female Voice mod can be integrated with the Character Creator – Female mod, creating a remarkably close approximation of a fully customized female protagonist within Crimson Desert. While the voice mod itself remains somewhat rough around the edges, the modding community’s dedication promises future improvements. Ultimately, this mod demonstrates the power of player ingenuity in addressing perceived shortcomings within the game.

Wesley Yin-Poole, Director, News at IGN.