Option to play as a male

[Yeoman]

Based on how the other threads like this go, I imagine this will turn into a cesspool too, but considering the devs seem to be acknowledging this request, I figured I'd weigh in as well.

I'd greatly like being able to make a male character in the game, considering it has a pretty solid character customization. I'd get if we were playing a set character with a distinct personality (Lara Croft, Geralt of Rivia, etc), but from what I've seen, our character doesn't seem to even speak. Maybe there's more background that gets revealed later, but from what I've seen, the PC truly is a blank slate, which seems to take away from the idea that they have to be female. I get the idea of Baba Yaga being more likely to take on a female apprentice (I've always liked Baba Yaga in folklore), but as that doesn't seem to be mentioned in-game, I don't really see that as a great reason for not having the option.

If the devs really want to keep the PC as female only, and that fits their vision, then yeah, I get that. Though it'd be appreciated by a lot of people to have the option (as seen in other threads).

Also, it's dumb that I have to say this, but I've also played The Forest and Sons of the Forest, and a constant request by people there was for people to get the option of playing as a female character. While I'd play as a male in that one either way, I always argued that it should be an option for women to get female characters too. And like what I've seen in this forum, it always turned into a cesspool, and ironically people using the same insults and accusations, albeit flipped.

Only the devs know if it's something they'd put into the game, but like I said, I figured I'd make another request. I love crafting games, enjoy Slavic lore, and specifically like Baba Yaga, so it'd be fun to make a character that fits me in a game like this (so long as it doesn't conflict with the way the devs want to take the game). Guess we'll see how the game develops.

[Zedd]

You're not wrong, things often descend into toddler playground name calling.
I prefer sticking to the more theme-accurate female only witch myself for lore reasons, but that is a weak argument as you have mentioned. Choice is always good!
However one strong and valid (I think anyway) argument against, would be-
If a male player character is introduced, the dev would then have to cut into development time to create and animate the male character, and a decent amount of male outfits. That's quite a lot of extra programming work, that would put the release back by quite a big chunk!

So I'd rather see the development resources be focused on the game itself, rather than spend these precious resources on a bunch of work I'll probably never see or use myself anyway. Perhaps this might be something better pursued after full release?

[HumanYes?]

As a trans guy, I would also like this option. When I was in my egg phase I used to always make female characters and just make them as flat-chested and masc with hair, face and clothes as I could, so I would probably do something like that again here if there is no play-as-male option.

[Creeperlox]

Originally posted by Yeoman:

If the devs really want to keep the PC as female only, and that fits their vision, then yeah, I get that. Though it'd be appreciated by a lot of people to have the option (as seen in other threads).

The thing is, the game is called "Reka" and we play as Reka, a young witch apprenticed under Baba Yaga. There's some character customization, but we cant set our name. The pleas for male body options dont make sense to me. I would also rather have development go towards finishing the game first.

[Geno_Helix]

I have been doing some reading and it turns out that in Russia, there were actually a lot of male witches, or men accused of witchcraft! Which is a cool discovery, as I have previously thought it didn't make sense as most witches were women. Now, after looking into the history of witches in Russia/ slavic history of witchcraft- many in fact, were men. Reka is a female name however and there would be quite a bit of work to add a male body type option but- I have to say that my original thoughts on why Reka shouldn't be male have been laid to rest after doing some research. If they can work it into the game without too much effort, why not?

[Zedd]

Originally posted by Geno_Helix:

...it turns out that in Russia, there were actually a lot of male witches...!

(snipped)

Thanks for looking into that Geno! That definitely puts my lore considerations to rest.
So yes, I'd not mind seeing a male character added, but as Creeper says, I'd rather see development resources go towards the more important matters. (heck, or more dresses!)
I do quite like the idea of a male character being a DLC (in this specific case)

[sckanners]

Someone in a different thread (and my light knowlege of slavic myths), Baba Yaga herself tend to be a bit... frosty, to be kind, toward men. She would rather have them for dinner than having them share a meal with her. Another point was how Baba Yaga may have been more of a title than a person, like some pirates seemed to have a very long life but in reality were a bunch of people inheriting the mantle. That way I believe Reka is to become Baba Yaga by the end of her journey. So I believe the woman only option is valid, thought I get people wanting variety.
For the male witches part, from stories I read (I was a kid so forgive me for the inacuracies) men tended to be more like sorcerers, transforming into creatures or enchanting stuff, while Baba Yaga (and witches in general) would be more into curses, potions and cannibalism.

[Fruto Doce]

I like the idea of having male options, even if it was something “simple” I see a lot of comments on these interesting topics... like trans people who don't feel comfortable playing female characters, or even men who don't feel comfortable being a young girl, it's a bit difficult to connect with a character-history being in the real world a 30-year-old guy but in the story... a young girl.
And about the story of baba yaga... well, we have to remember that the game isn't an exact retelling of the witch's story... because there are several stories about her.
If we were to take it literally... it would be forbidden to be a “good witch” in the game. Because baba yaga wasn't good at all, but the game gives us the option of being good.
Besides... the game is an open-ended story... much closer to stardew valley... elder ring... these are games where you create your character and explore the world and its stories in the way you want.
It's very different from games like lara croft which is a set story or horizon... Reka can be translated as river in Slovenian, if memory serves, and it could easily be an apprentice's “title”, so I don't think it's a bad thing for a male character to have the title of river.
And finally, baba yaga really didn't like men, but neither did she like women... it's worth noting that her story was mainly told to girls not to leave the house and not to stay near forests... after all... baba yaga ate children.
But baba interacted out of interest with many other evil creatures through her pacts.
So well... she could train a boy too... if she had sealed a pact.

[Zedd]

Quote snip:
"...baba yaga really didn't like men, but neither did she like women..."

"baba yaga wasn't good at all..."

"Baba Yaga herself tend to be a bit... frosty, to be kind, toward men. She would rather have them for dinner..."

I'm starting to think- she sounds like someone I once dated.

[Brook Angel]

Originally posted by Fruto Doce:

[..] like trans people who don't feel comfortable playing female characters, [..]

Yea exactly this. I'm really interested I this game, but I can't get myself to buy it because I know I can't play as a character I'd be comfortable creating. If it was locked and a definitive character (like Lara Croft) that's different. That wouldn't be a character supposed to represent me after all.

[River]

if they make the option to make a male they would have to make a story line for a male character, males aren't witches they are warlocks.

[Yeoman]

Originally posted by River:

if they make the option to make a male they would have to make a story line for a male character, males aren't witches they are warlocks.

Not gonna get into the weeds of neopagan vs historical folklore, but in either of those cases, that isn't the case. While "Witch" is commonly associated with women, especially in modern day, it itself is gender-neutral, and there are old stories that involve male "witches". Warlock means "oath breaker", and it being the male counterpart to witch is more of a modern fantasy/videogame thing.

[UdderJuice]

But you do play an established character. A girl named Reka. You can customize her a little bit. But it's a girl named Reka. I enjoy experiencing various art forms the way the artist envisioned it for me to experience. Not the experience I dictated to them to create for me.

[Yeoman]

Originally posted by UdderJuice:

But you do play an established character. A girl named Reka. You can customize her a little bit. But it's a girl named Reka. I enjoy experiencing various art forms the way the artist envisioned it for me to experience. Not the experience I dictated to them to create for me.

That's true, but from what I've seen, Reka never speaks, and the amount of customization lets you pretty much completely change her looks, doesn't it? Like down to even skin tone? Not saying this can't make her a set character, but that's a lot of customization, and lack of characterization, for her to be a set character. I guess if they do specifically want her to be female/a set character, I'd rather they actually make her feel like a real character, and not a blank self-insert.

[william_es]

Originally posted by Brook Angel:

Originally posted by Fruto Doce:

[..] like trans people who don't feel comfortable playing female characters, [..]

Yea exactly this. I'm really interested I this game, but I can't get myself to buy it because I know I can't play as a character I'd be comfortable creating. If it was locked and a definitive character (like Lara Croft) that's different. That wouldn't be a character supposed to represent me after all.

I just don't understand the mindset. I've played games where "I" the main player was a robot, an alien, amorphous slime. In divinity original sin, you can play one character that's undead. Just bones. And those are just the video games. If I want to add in old fashioned pen and paper RPG's then I've played even weirder stuff then this. Intelligent roaches, plant creatures. I didn't wonder about their gender.

The main character in this game being a young girl entirely fits with russian folklore. Baba Yaga literally says she's been waiting for someone to come that she can pass her knowledge of the old ways onto. In russian folklore, that would not have been a man.

[Chimpson]

Originally posted by Creeperlox:

Originally posted by Yeoman:

If the devs really want to keep the PC as female only, and that fits their vision, then yeah, I get that. Though it'd be appreciated by a lot of people to have the option (as seen in other threads).

The thing is, the game is called "Reka" and we play as Reka, a young witch apprenticed under Baba Yaga. There's some character customization, but we cant set our name. The pleas for male body options dont make sense to me. I would also rather have development go towards finishing the game first.

It doesnt make sense to have female characters in basically any melee combat game because no king or leader in his right mind would dress up a woman in armor, shield and sword and expect them to fight to the death against men.
But still every single game more or less have this anyway.

I don't care personally if you cant play as a man-witch in this game but to say its kosher to only have one gender here and not anywere else is somewhat NPC...