New Mod Offers Character Creation Options
One of the major criticisms of Crimson Desert since its launch has been the lack of character customization. Players are restricted to controlling Kliff, whose personality has also faced scrutiny. Fortunately, the modding community has stepped in to fill this gap.
The Character Creator - Female mod, created by Khione95, allows players to design their own female characters using the game's barber function. It features 98 face presets and 159 hair styles, giving players a chance to inject some individuality into their experience. A male version of this mod is expected to launch soon.
This mod enables players to engage with Crimson Desert in a more personalized way, utilizing the female human preset. Many armors have been adjusted to fit the new character model, and future updates promise even more customization options, including additional races like orcs and goblins, along with a complete set of female animations.
Players can also use Ev3n5taR’s Kliff Female Voice mod alongside the character creator. This voice mod utilizes AI to convert Kliff's original dialogue into a female voice. While the results are somewhat rough, modders are known for their ability to improve their creations over time.
Reaction to this mod has generally been favorable, with some fans expressing confusion over why Pearl Abyss did not incorporate a character creator from the outset. One player remarked, “The story just wasn't strong enough to justify not using BDO’s unbelievable character creator.” Another summed up the sentiment with, “I’m still beyond confused why they didn't go the Cyberpunk route.”
Critics have pointed out that the lack of customization options detracts from the overall experience, especially given that many NPCs refer to the player as “the Greymane,” which suggests a customizable character could have worked seamlessly within the narrative. This disappointment seems to stem from a broader critique of Crimson Desert’s story, which some players believe could have been stronger.
Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young admitted that the game’s narrative could have been improved. In a recent discussion with shareholders, he noted, “I sympathize to some extent with the disappointment users feel regarding the story.” The focus on gameplay over narrative depth was evident throughout development, as revealed by actor Alec Newman, who voiced Kliff.
Newman discussed the game's development process, detailing how the story and characters changed significantly over time. Originally conceived as a demo and later morphing into a single-player experience, Crimson Desert has encountered a rocky journey leading to its current state.
Looking ahead, the question remains whether Pearl Abyss might eventually implement a character creator. While it seems unlikely given the game’s current framework, the developers have shown a willingness to adapt and evolve the game post-launch. Perhaps future DLC could bring the customization options many players desire.