Gale's Appearance

[Slapped_Chimp]

What was the purpose of changing his eye & hair to black, as opposed to brown?
Is that something people asked for?

[Gulabius Jamunius]

It's ammo for gale conspiracy theorists that say he's secretly an evil necromancer or something. The color change does give him a more sinister look. Also, the cover art for bg3 depicts gale with a bandaged hand which is not present on his in-game model. He does after all emit a necrotic aura when slain in battle. I don't think Gale is an evil necromancer or anything but there certainly is more to him going on that we haven't seen yet.

[Slapped_Chimp]

Well, so far we know he basically turned himself into a walking nuke, I suppose a more dreary appearance kind of offsets the cheery disposition. I doubt the change's purpose is to be ammunition for that though.

I thought they may be trying to make him look more like Jahan from Divinity OS.

[Mosey]

It's also possible the change in hair color is because of the changes to the lighting system. The game is generally darker now, which can make dark brown look black.

That said I haven't played with him since the most recent update since I only play multiplayer.

[Slapped_Chimp]

I wasn't sure if I was imagining it so I did compare some screenshots, it's definitely a texture alteration. If the lighting difference was that severe, everything else would be much, much darker & desaturated- not fit for purpose.
If there was a lighting change, that may add to the disparity, but it can't be that alone.

[Oku]

The entire game got a lighting system and graphical overhaul. Things will look different.

[God Queen 158]

He definitely has dark marks under his eyes now.

[Slapped_Chimp]

@Stock Image Snake
Ok... This is the only thing I've noticed really.

[Slapped_Chimp]

@Her Royal Shortness
Definitely, but the change to eyes/ hair is more overt.

[Kai]

He still looks retarded. His face needs a rework
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2634980070

[Slapped_Chimp]

I dislike the change they made. They won't be changing the facial model or expressions now though.

[Slapped_Chimp]

Even if that is so, it's less of a twist if they make him look more 'evil' or rough.

[76561198064683654]

Originally posted by Slapped_Chimp:

Even if that is so, it's less of a twist if they make him look more 'evil' or rough.

It's not so much making him look "evil" as it is giving him a visual cost to impregnating himself with a Netherese Destruction Orb. Gale currently is a WIP, he's getting a new hairstyle (it's in the game files, just not added yet) which is similar to his current but looks a lot better imo. His body texture will most likely change as well to show the orbs damage, plus parts are suppose to be covered in bandages (confirmed by Ethel's dialogue). So consider that Gale is still "not finished," as are several other characters.

[Slapped_Chimp]

Oh ok. That makes sense.
He has grey/ white hair in the menu art, that would communicate degeneration.

[76561198064683654]

Originally posted by Slapped_Chimp:

Oh ok. That makes sense.
He has grey/ white hair in the menu art, that would communicate degeneration.

Yeah. I think it often gets overlooked that your character has the option to be hostile and can kill Gale when you first meet him. Understandably it would seem that a player was just doing the full evil murder-hobo route if they did that, instead of Gale actually looking like something was very off about him and you had a reason to be alarmed by him. I still think killing would be extreme, but his degenerated appearance at least gives a reason why your character would be wary of him at his introduction.

[Mr. Smiles]

I think there are some clues to his evil nature in the voice acting too. When he talks to you normally, he sounds optimistic (if a little condescending). During a fight however he sounds very ominous. It's quite jarring how much of tonal shift there is between the voice outside and during combat.

That's definitely a red-flag to me that screams "Warning! There is more to this guy than meets the eye (and not necessarily in a good way)".