A Petty Critique of the Huntress' Design

[GIRL]

Forewarning: The general message that I'm making in this critique is that the Huntress is needlessly sexualized. There's a lot more to it than just that, obviously. But if you think I'm an idiot, SJW, snowflake, etc. for saying that, then you might as well just leave, because neither of us are going to change each others' minds if that's the case.

Additionally, I'll be saying that a character design, or parts of their design, are "good" or "bad". This isn't so much an opinion as it is a matter of how well the character conveys what they're supposed to be, and what they're supposed to do. It's not necessarily fact either, because you can argue over it, but it does have an actual base in the rules of character design.

Lastly, I am a character designer. It's not my official job (although someday I hope it will be), my official job is graphic design and freelancing. However, it is a HUGE hobby of mine, and I've studied extensively in the field of character design. I hope that gives me some credibility in what I'm going to say, as I don't want to appear as just some random dude who's getting all pissy because God forbid a female character in a video game has curves.

With that out of the way, though...

There's a lot that works in the favor of the Huntress, but there's also a lot that doesn't. By no means is her design bad, and I'd also like to clarify that I'm not here to call out any of the artists on Hopoo's team. This is merely a critique on one character's design. I think every other returning character looks amazing, by the way. Not to butter you guys up or anything.

Let's just skip the mellowing-out and get right to it. The Huntress is needlessly sexy. There, I said it. And I already know at least 20 people reading this are going to think I'm a soy-boy crybaby for it. But please hear me out with my reasoning as to why this doesn't work for her character.
Also, I am in NO way against sexy women characters in video games. There are times where characters HAVE to be sexy, like when you're making a woman who's a "femme fatale", as in a woman who uses her looks and charm to lure her targets in, making it easy for her to kill them. I'm merely against characters (of any gender) being sexy when it doesn't really help their design, or even worse, when it actively goes against what they're supposed to be.

Currently we don't have much in terms of story or lore for the Huntress. Presumably we'll get some sort of backstory when the Data Logs on the Survivors come out. So, maybe her being sexy will actually have a purpose when these stories come out. But until now, all we have to go on is her in-game abilities and her occupation: A huntress.

Typically, hunters and huntresses try to keep out of their targets' vision, and kill without ever being seen. If they do get caught, they need to be able to move fast, not get tripped up, and be able to launch a quick counter-attack. Real-life bows are also not as light or easy to pull back as you'd think.
Because of all this, real-life hunters and huntresses are usually not the tall, slim, delicate-looking stereotypes we see in things like World of Warcraft or Lord of the Rings. In fact real world archers are usually BUILT. They're big, stocky, and strong. BUT they can also move very fast, because their muscles are built in a way that actually counts. They look muscular, but not body-builder muscular. They just look... bulky. And they're actually stronger than body builders too, because body builders just do that for show. Their muscles aren't actually built for practical use. But where am I getting with all of this?

My point is that Huntress looks like she just got off a fashion-show runway. She's wearing high heels, for f#%k's sake! Her armor is flashy, not at all camouflaged. She's wearing... elastic workout pants, are they? And not to mention the breast-plate. Look, game designers? Women actually did wear armor and fight in Medieval times. At no point did they ever craft practical armor that specifically curved around the breasts.
There were some who tried, but it turned out to do more harm than good. In fact, having armor that curved around the body perfectly was a terrible idea in general, because if it ever got dented in battle, that denting would go right into the person's flesh. Yikes.

Before you yell at me, "BUT IT'S A SCI-FI FANTASY VIDEO GAME!!! REALISM DOESN'T MATTER!", hold up. I know. But think about the other characters for a second. Their designs all look believable, no? There's a difference between "realistic" and "believable".
Realism actually doesn't matter here, you're right. I mean, we've got a dude who dashes around with a rocket on his back slashing enemies with a light saber, a robot that somehow carries an infinite amount of nails and rebar, and a floating scientist thing who makes... artificial fire? And it still somehow burns things?
But it's all "believable". It all looks like, "Yeah, that could maybe be a thing in the far future." That's what makes stuff like Star Wars and Star Trek so good. A lot of it (but certainly not all of it...) is based in reality. In our ideas of what the future could be, based on modern science. That's why it's believable.

The Huntress, though? I can't see her being a believable design. I can understand the concept of a sci-fi archer lady, don't get me wrong. But I can't buy that there's any amount of technology - or, better yet, any practical reason - that can explain why she has to be running around in Stiletto's, and despite probably having extensive training in archery and athleticism, making sure every movement she makes is as sexy as possible.

The Commando is a good design in contrast. His movements are all very professional, exactly what you'd expect a military... well, commando, to do. He has a tactical roll and dual pistols, perfect for his role and training. He's a very believable character.
MUL-T is also a good design. His motions are robotic and stiff, and the way he moves feels very floaty - which feels right, given that he rolls around on wheels like a shopping cart.
I could go on, but my point is that all the other characters' movements fit their design and purpose perfectly.

So what would I change, is the final question.

Well, not much, in all honesty. I kind of get what they were going for with her design. She's supposed to be this light, fragile archer who doesn't take hits as much as she gracefully darts around them. Her attacks are strong - which contrasts with the delicate "flick" of her bow string, to convey that concept of "elegant but deadly". Her gameplay even feels elegant, which works well with her current design. She's also fragile in terms of her low HP.

That said, I don't think she NEEDS the "boob armor" breastplate and a size-10 ba-donka-donk. Again, no problem with characters being sexy. It just doesn't suit the concept of a huntress very well, in my professional opinion.
It's weird how men who are hunters always have good designs in video games, too. The rules for designing both men and women as hunters should be the same, because they go through the same experiences in the real world too. The only reason they're not the same is pretty obvious, then. Especially when you look at games like WoW. It's just sexist design, and you can't really make a strong argument against it.

What I'd change about the Huntress is;
- Tone town the curves on her chest and booty. Not only would an actual, professional hunter/huntress be more muscular, and thus more toned and have less fat, but if your goal was a "delicate but lethal" approach, these curves are not necessary. If anything, you'd make her look even more delicate by making her flatter.
- Give her more flowing clothing articles. The scarf was a nice touch, but I think you could extend on it. Perhaps a piece of cloth coming from, or wrapped around her waist, that goes down over one of her legs. Or a hood! Nothing says "I use a bow as my weapon" better than than a hood. Just make those antennae things stick through it, or go on the sides. Oh yeah, and please, please make her boots more believable? I'd be happy if you just did that, tbh.
- Make her animations a bit more... I dunno?? Like, I like the "soft yet deadly" theme she has going on. But sexy jumps and struts =/= soft. Her run and jump would be better suited to mimic the movements of a deer or gazelle. Ya know, long strides, a bounding jump? And maybe when she comes to a stop, instead of doing a little hop, she could sort of slide to a stop. I actually DO like the little "flick" she does on the bow string. That's a very nice subtle way to show that she's strong, yet elegant.

That's... really all I have to say here. I fully understand this might never even be looked at by a developer, as I've heard there's only 3 of you - Let alone actually be taken seriously or considered. I'm sure you've got a million more pressing matters than making a character less sexy because one dude was mildly put off by it.

And I also really hope people don't just read this and go, "Haha, triggered, libtard? Guess you're too easily offended!", because I'm not offended. It just pains me a little that the other characters were translated so well into 3D, and their animations and designs are all so good. I was expecting the Huntress to feel like this agile, bad-a#$ stalker who killed their prey before they even got a chance to blink - But what we got was just kinda... well, generic fan-service archer lady #1,492,384?

I mean, the Artificer is never said to be a he, or she, or anything, but it's pretty clear they're a she. And they're not too sexy. Their design and animations work very well. I mean, I'd make her lab coat thing wrap all the way around and not reveal so much leg, since lab coats are supposed to be protective gear, but I don't really care that much.

I just think her design has so much more potential, that's really all there is to it. And I'm hoping, probably pointlessly, that this potential is someday recognized.

If you actually read all this, huge thanks to you for even putting up with me for so long. Even if you disagree, please try to keep the comments respectful. I'll gladly debate with anyone who disagrees if they keep it civil.

[Nick]

That's a lot of words for you to say that you don't like how her butt's better than yours.

[Thug Killadome]

Originally posted by Captain OwO:

Originally posted by Aconel:

Let this thread die, to anyone (in the future) who wants to leave a snarky comment or even try and participate to this "discussion", don't. We all have better to do with our time than this. Cheers.

I do want people to participate though, like if someone actually has something useful or informative to say. For or against. I'm willing to discuss civilly.

Highly doubt that considering you haven't really replied to anyone discussing the points you brought up in your OP.

[Rusty]

My butt is nicer than the Huntress, so it doesn't even matter. LOL

[Blaz]

Do idiots not realize sex sells? Cause it does. You know what doesn't sell? Being a SJW trying to be woke.

[Charles]

Yes, a military man using guns akimbo. Truly the peak of believability.

Also the huntress doesn't wear heels and Star Wars couldn't be farther from being believable sci-fi.

Actually scratch all that stuff. You're trying to head off the inevitable "huntress oversexualized" topic and presenting it in such a stupid manner that it kills the discussion before it even starts, aren't you? Pretty clever of you, OP.

[Munchies]

Originally posted by Bone"POPOFF!"Boi:

if you are finding any of these characters in the game sexy then that's in your head and you need therapy.

Yeah. Its scary people like him wallk among us without even realising they need help.

[Flobots]

She's sexy? To who? I mean, I guess if you're on the net looking for Huntress hentai maybe.

You saying she's overly sexy is like people getting mad at the Hulk for being shirtless. Lol.

[Killer_luvs_pie]

Basically "Oh no. This character has a nice butt! This is problematic". I gave up reading after the first sentence.
Just stop it and re-evaluate if this is really something to write an essay about. FFS people!

[Blight]

Originally posted by Captain OwO:

Lastly, I am a character designer. It's not my official job (although someday I hope it will be),

I hope not honestly. This post is too ridiculous, even for a "Gaymer and furry trash".
If something I call this post a really long and dumb attempt of being annoying.

[Dog]

Originally posted by Munchies NerdsBG:

Originally posted by Bone"POPOFF!"Boi:

if you are finding any of these characters in the game sexy then that's in your head and you need therapy.

Yeah. Its scary people like him wallk among us without even realising they need help.

Add to it that they are allowed to breed...

[north]

hopoo is /our guy/ and clearly likes his women THICC and he knows sexy women = more sales + more enjoyment for gamer. this is why hopoo and the boys have million seller game and OP is just an ideas guy who says he will make a game one day but still hasn't

hoping for a butt slider in a later update

[Ministry Of Wrath]

If you can say she's too sexy, I can equally say she isn't sexy enough.


I believe she needs to be more sexy!

Look at the giant cyclops, he has no cloths... along with the lizards.


if sexuality is a choice, or can be changed, if it isn't a choice, you're right maybe your're a robot sexual or fully clothed bonnar trooper, or cupid sexual, and all things living and dead attract you.

Whatever the case may be, I own't judge you for having a cupid corps in the freezer in your basement.


But you shouldn't shove your sexuality down our throuats and assume the character is sexualized to everyone.

To some, minor chest and butt curve is a turn off, to others it isn't big enough.

to a even fewer, her lack of head spikes is REALLY a gonad killer.

But with all that said in done, you're welcome to change your sexuality and stop having such a preference that objectifies the character, and cure your own toxicity.


this message is brought to you by someone that fullys upports far left ideals, keep that in mind.


because the more people that wake up and see how true men like OP are..........the faster the system will implode and the sooner we can start over from the ashes and build a new society that returns values and objective reality to the table.

[Teyore]

I'm Honestly surprised this thread hasn't been locked yet....

[Munchies]

I like how immediately after the first sentence OP labels himself as "But if you think I'm an idiot, SJW, snowflake, etc." ...

Op we cant help you with that. Also writing a whole 5000 word essay on the subject means that you really do need help.

[brambo]

thanks for posting this OP. i've been sharing it and everyone gets a laugh out of it