Why is she bald?

[Kurikuo]

Does she have cancer or something? Not calling her ugly or trying to insult, just curious

[ManaBrent]

Biz keeps her hair shaved as a personal choice. She is autistic, and growing up had sensory issues with the feeling of her hair, so began to shave it regularly. Shaving is also an unpleasant sensory experience so this wasn't ideal.

When she was a bit older a romantic partner who was skilled at crafting Mana Gems created a custom one for her that suppresses the hair growth entirely. Biz wears that Gem to this day, hanging from a collar on the back of her neck.

[Kurikuo]

Oh thats interesting. First time I see a bald woman by choice in a game, aside from Jedi Survivor. Thanks for explaining!

[Lanosa]

Originally posted by ManaBrent:

Biz keeps her hair shaved as a personal choice. She is autistic, and growing up had sensory issues with the feeling of her hair, so began to shave it regularly. Shaving is also an unpleasant sensory experience so this wasn't ideal.

When she was a bit older a romantic partner who was skilled at crafting Mana Gems created a custom one for her that suppresses the hair growth entirely. Biz wears that Gem to this day, hanging from a collar on the back of her neck.

Wooooow, nice hidden lore. Thank you for sharing it

[info]

she's ugly... honestly, this was one of the main reasons why I hesitated buying the game. I quite like it, on a gameplay basis, but it really seems odd and a bit offputting that so many characters in the game have haircuts that are extremely unflattering.

I don't enjoy looking at an ugly woman as a character in a game. it is a product to serve my entertainment, not a person. as such, it is unwise to go out of your way to make her ugly.

it will just keep customers away. as someone who literally makes a game about business, the dev should know business is about the customer.

I don't get why we can't get the choice of a woman that looks like a woman, not some weirdo

[lilac]

Originally posted by info:

she's ugly... honestly, this was one of the main reasons why I hesitated buying the game. I quite like it, on a gameplay basis, but it really seems odd and a bit offputting that so many characters in the game have haircuts that are extremely unflattering.

I don't enjoy looking at an ugly woman as a character in a game. it is a product to serve my entertainment, not a person. as such, it is unwise to go out of your way to make her ugly.

it will just keep customers away. as someone who literally makes a game about business, the dev should know business is about the customer.

I don't get why we can't get the choice of a woman that looks like a woman, not some weirdo

theres so many awful and disgusting things about your comment im not even gonna waste my time, i mean seriously people on the internet are just way too comfortable being awful and gross due to their anonymity. women dont exist to please you. ugh this comment is so gross if i say what i think about men i'll get in trouble

[ManaBrent]

Originally posted by info:

she's ugly... honestly, this was one of the main reasons why I hesitated buying the game. I quite like it, on a gameplay basis, but it really seems odd and a bit offputting that so many characters in the game have haircuts that are extremely unflattering.

I don't enjoy looking at an ugly woman as a character in a game. it is a product to serve my entertainment, not a person. as such, it is unwise to go out of your way to make her ugly.

it will just keep customers away. as someone who literally makes a game about business, the dev should know business is about the customer.

I don't get why we can't get the choice of a woman that looks like a woman, not some weirdo

Games are more than a product, they are art. Sadly, we live in a capitalist hellscape that forces us to commodify that expression to survive. But at least in my case I choose to make the game I want, rather than the game I think you want.

And if in the process that exposes some people to new things that broaden their experience, then cool.

[info]

Originally posted by ManaBrent:

Originally posted by info:

she's ugly... honestly, this was one of the main reasons why I hesitated buying the game. I quite like it, on a gameplay basis, but it really seems odd and a bit offputting that so many characters in the game have haircuts that are extremely unflattering.

I don't enjoy looking at an ugly woman as a character in a game. it is a product to serve my entertainment, not a person. as such, it is unwise to go out of your way to make her ugly.

it will just keep customers away. as someone who literally makes a game about business, the dev should know business is about the customer.

I don't get why we can't get the choice of a woman that looks like a woman, not some weirdo

Games are more than a product, they are art. Sadly, we live in a capitalist hellscape that forces us to commodify that expression to survive. But at least in my case I choose to make the game I want, rather than the game I think you want.

And if in the process that exposes some people to new things that broaden their experience, then cool.

the game is really good. I am amazed how good it is actually.

the reason I am this blunt is to get you (maybe) to see a different perspective and get it to be played by a much larger amount of people.
there is so much trash in this space that gets validated and praised for no good reason, while this game is actually fun. (especially the "retro" gaming crowd and the "old games are better" crowd seem to greedily consume pure steaming piles of fertilizing agents)

but I can 1000% percent tell you that the picture of a bald woman will immediately scare off 90% of the audience. it is just human nature.

that's the only reason I wrote this. because I would like the game to succeed more than it already does.
and that's all I got to say.

it is an incredible mistake to dismiss people talking about that as trolls. most are living in hell in this effed up reality and just want some virtual sunlight to make them feel better for a time. they're not here for a "realistic" depiction of whatever. they want escapism.

[ManaBrent]

Originally posted by info:

the game is really good. I am amazed how good it is actually.

the reason I am this blunt is to get you (maybe) to see a different perspective and get it to be played by a much larger amount of people.
there is so much trash in this space that gets validated and praised for no good reason, while this game is actually fun. (especially the "retro" gaming crowd and the "old games are better" crowd seem to greedily consume pure steaming piles of fertilizing agents)

but I can 1000% percent tell you that the picture of a bald woman will immediately scare off 90% of the audience. it is just human nature.

that's the only reason I wrote this. because I would like the game to succeed more than it already does.
and that's all I got to say.

it is an incredible mistake to dismiss people talking about that as trolls. most are living in hell in this effed up reality and just want some virtual sunlight to make them feel better for a time. they're not here for a "realistic" depiction of whatever. they want escapism.

I'm glad you like the game, and appreciate the sentiment of wanting it to succeed. But I won't be changing Biz' design. The best way to help the game succeed is by telling people about it, word of mouth is the juice that keeps this train rolling!

I think it's the RPG Maker look that is holding the game back more than anything, that factor has made it a real struggle to get any games media to give it a look as they are so familiar with it and that comes with false assumptions about what to expect.

Even with that handicap it's still performed exceptionally well compared to most indie titles, though I know it's got the stuff to go further. And I'm conscious of the fact that you only get seconds of a players attention at a glance, this is an area where I see Biz' design as a strength, it's something unusual that warrants an extra look. I've heard from many players that it's what caused them to see what the game was about.

And what's wrong with escaping as a badass bald queen that gets things done?

[löyly]

JFC guys who think the world revolves around them. For someone who's had to deal with the constant obnoxious expectations placed on women and anyone who looks like they "should" be feminine, playing as a female character that defies those expectations is VERY MUCH escapism.

[Omsk]

Originally posted by info:

she's ugly... honestly, this was one of the main reasons why I hesitated buying the game. I quite like it, on a gameplay basis, but it really seems odd and a bit offputting that so many characters in the game have haircuts that are extremely unflattering.

I don't enjoy looking at an ugly woman as a character in a game. it is a product to serve my entertainment, not a person. as such, it is unwise to go out of your way to make her ugly.

it will just keep customers away. as someone who literally makes a game about business, the dev should know business is about the customer.

I don't get why we can't get the choice of a woman that looks like a woman, not some weirdo

imagine needing a random game's MC to be hot by your specific standards or you can't play it

that sucks dude

[Destroyer_2_2]

for what it's worth, I bought the game specifically because a game with a bald woman as a main character stuck out. I am very glad i did, because it's really good!

[Markofbear]

Originally posted by info:

she's ugly... honestly, this was one of the main reasons why I hesitated buying the game. I quite like it, on a gameplay basis, but it really seems odd and a bit offputting that so many characters in the game have haircuts that are extremely unflattering.

I don't enjoy looking at an ugly woman as a character in a game. it is a product to serve my entertainment, not a person. as such, it is unwise to go out of your way to make her ugly.

it will just keep customers away. as someone who literally makes a game about business, the dev should know business is about the customer.

I don't get why we can't get the choice of a woman that looks like a woman, not some weirdo

As a long-time fan of the game, I think it would be hilarious if ManaBrent released a $9 DLC that gave Biz some hair. That way, people like you could finally stop harping on about her baldness “issue” and, at the same time, show that they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is.

[Deagle Trainee]

Originally posted by ManaBrent:

I think it's the RPG Maker look that is holding the game back more than anything, that factor has made it a real struggle to get any games media to give it a look as they are so familiar with it and that comes with false assumptions about what to expect.

Even with that handicap it's still performed exceptionally well compared to most indie titles, though I know it's got the stuff to go further. And I'm conscious of the fact that you only get seconds of a players attention at a glance, this is an area where I see Biz' design as a strength, it's something unusual that warrants an extra look. I've heard from many players that it's what caused them to see what the game was about.

I agree with this assumption. I must not have been paying close enough attention to the trailer, because I don't recall noticing the RPG Maker aesthetic before trying the demo. I might not have bothered trying it otherwise. But the demo was a pleasant surprise. Plays like an RPG Maker game, but has a unique story and interesting gameplay. Mab's baldness is eye catching, which is why I bothered to try the demo.

[Kurikuo]

I mean, its an interesting design that sparks curiosity. If this was just another petite lady I wouldnt have made this thread. Unfortunately some only used it for hate. You dont have to like everything. "Oh, one character is ugly, I demand change and options or no buy." Those are also the kinda people that ♥♥♥♥ and gatekeep if others demand changes on games they enjoy. Ironic isnt it

Cant tell you how many awesome games with non attractive characters I have played. Cant have a female protagonist or green hair? Yeah okay, no big deal. Im here for the game, the rest is optional

[Scade]

Originally posted by info:

the reason I am this blunt is to get you (maybe) to see a different perspective and get it to be played by a much larger amount of people.

This is not a different perspective that you want us to see, it's on the contrary the most common perspective there is. And we already saw it in thousands of games. It's a bit condescending to even think that ManaBrent (or anybody really) doesn't know that "pretty girls = more money".

What IS a different perspective, on the other hand, is precisely what this game did with it's main female protagonist. Maybe try to see that, broaden your horizons and accept that your vision of the world is not the only one ?

You're not a troll, you're just a very narrow-minded person who complained about an "ugly bald weirdo" and tried to justify it afterward with wanting the game to succeed or whatever.

There's more to a game than just sales and profit, and if you didn't get that from THIS game, then you missed the point entirely.

---

Anyway !

I went here because I was quite curious about the reason about this unusual choice of a bald woman, so thank you ManaBrent for clarifying that and giving us a bit of backstory. :D

And most of all, thank you for challenging our standards and sticking to your vision. It can be a bit uncomfortable at first, but it's very important nevertheless.