Poll: Character customization in FPS, YAY or NAY?

[alloneword]

My vote: Nay

Though here is my argument: In most FPS games, one of two things usually occurs. Either you play as a very specific character (Freeman or Master Chief, for example) so customization isn't really an option, or you are a very malleable character (Fallout, or to a lesser degree Bioshock) so your customization allows you to turn the game more towards your own strengths or weaknesses.

As far as appearance goes, customization in an FPS is really only for those who want to make themselves feel special. I used to play Halo 3 online quite a bit (as in hours a day) and there is only one time when I remember saying to my roomate "Man that guy's armor is badass.". For a game like Halo, armor customization is really just a pissing contest, but for a game where the armor actually has stats, why not customize?

To sum up: Custom stats = good. Custom looks = meh.

 

[LordGarbageMan]

Any character customization is good customization. I especially like rsv2, because you could put on different levels of armor, and unlocking stuff was fun.

 

[initialdelay]

I vote 'NAY, obviously'. In an FPS I want to hear lines from the Evil Dead films, see pole-dancers, and fight pig-aliens. No character customisation necessary other then what gun to hold! And ever since Duke Nukem 3D I've struggled to find the magical combination anywhere else...

On a slightly more serious note, an FPS isn't doing it's job if you feel the need to customise your character. Aside from the bleeding obvious fact that in a First Person Shooter you can't see your character (and yes I know about mirrors and other such modern inventions. But if you're so narcissistic that you look at yourself in a mirror in a game then you deserve to give me that extra kill )

 

[KissofKetchup]

Yay as long as it doesn't look ridiculous. Pink camo on my Rainbow operative a good game does not make

 

[Iron Mal]

While it could be argued that there is no point in character customization in FPS games (seeing as you never see yourself) it's not really harming anyone when it is there (in Halo 3 it allows you a certain level of individuality and in games like Rainbow Six Vegas and Fallout 3 it allows you to tweak the character towards your own playing style).

There's no reason to not have it so what's the problem?

 

[Hitari0]

Certainly, it adds both personal flare and lets you look badass in your own way.

 

[Neur0t0xin]

It's always fun to have a non-generic avatar for online games, at least.

If nothing else, it makes identifying your own cold lifeless corpse easier when you respawn so you don't end up teabagging yourself.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Games where you can switch to 3rd person view, it is ok, don't need it... First person only, it is completely pointless... Never saw the point in spending $2 or whatever to buy characters on Killing Floor that I wouldn't even be seeing...

 

[The Atomic Irishman]

Its a nice idea, but id rather leave it to where im looking at my creation 24/7. So to speak.

 

[Loop Stricken]

Character customisation is always a good thing.

 

[nicholaxxx]

I like character customization... It's essential to my happyness.

hit the nail on the head right there.

 

[Chancie]

It's pretty fun when you're given the option but I don't have to have it. If they give you the character already, then eh, that's cool too.

 

[Chicago Ted]

What aboot games like fallout where you can switch to third person?

hmm...

well yeah
thats cool of Fallout 3

everyone ends up in telsa armor with a plasma rifle anyway

I never wear it. And I don't use Energy weapons.

O RLY? what you got?

Armor: Reily's Rangers Combat Armor. Good DR, and gives me a lot of good bonuses. Also allows me to keep more agile.

Weapon: Depends on the situation. Mostly small guns for normal enemies, combined with sneak attacks. However, against strong enemies, such as Overlords, I tend to sneak up on them and go in unarmed. I do several strikes in VATS, and force them to go down via a paralyzing palm strike, and then finish them off.

 

[adledog]

Definite yay. I love a good desert eagle=]

 

[Flying-Emu]

If you can't see yourself then whats the point?

...

Maybe you can see your shoes?

I want clown shoes and a Glock pl0x.

 

[CarbonEagle]

id agree, so long as it doesnt turn into a grinding game. FPS is all about action, and being forced to play so you can customise isnt fun battlefield 2142. If it were somthing like in the mechwarrior games where you can custom fit or "tweak" your weapons and armor everytime you spawn i would be in love!

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Yes. Seriously though, what separates me from all the other Master Chief's running around besides my armor color?

 

[Necrofudge]

I suppose minor stuff like different characters with some customizable clothing but not that in-depth character developer from Oblivion or Fallout 3 (to a lesser extent)

 

[stabnex]

What's the point unless you're going to make them into a neon or fluorescent pink affair?

The only time anything other than gun-metal gray, or forest green are appropriate is when you're so ridiculously good at the game that sporting hot pink, candy purple, and a rabbit with a cowboy hat on your armor and naming yourself "Mr Fluffy Wuff" for further embarrassment of your opponents.