42753 réponses à ce sujet

[Captain Crash]

Wow Ele im Flabbergasted!! :happy: 

Beautifully done.  Both images in one post hurt though because im getting conflicted emotions of happy and sad!   

Really great work!  Every image you do is brilliant!! I may as well name my next femshep folder after you! Its going to be filled with your work!  <3

ELE08 wrote...



[smilie]http://social.bioware.com/images/forum/emoticons/love.png[/smilie]



[smilie]http://social.bioware.com/images/forum/emoticons/crying.png[/smilie]

Modifié par Captain Crash, 26 janvier 2011 - 11:15 .

[Sable Phoenix]

ELE08 wrote...

>drops the mouse<

H-HOT!

Hot hot hot!

Wow, this is right up there as a contender for the most awesome manip you've ever done.

[ADLegend21]

Gahh I have to practice my gimp skills soI can make awesome manips like that, unless I need photoshop to do that.

[ELE08]

http://t1.gstatic.co...Gv4SxFOyJxg&t=1 When the standard blushing emoticon is not enough.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

[jlb524]

That is a very nice pic, ELE.



Kaidan's lucky today for getting all this great art featuring him XD

[Chignon]

jlb524 wrote...

That is a very nice pic, ELE.

Kaidan's lucky today for getting all this great art featuring him XD

Judging by your latest masterpiece, it's not only Kaidan who is lucky.

[SkaldFish]

I'm a guy, and a long-time gamer (two words - "Pong" and "Intellivision" - will set the perspective), but I don't usually think of myself as someone who takes up "gaming issues." It's entertainment, I enjoy it, and I know that my tastes and preferences aren't necessarily going to be shared by others -- nor should I expect otherwise. I've historically rolled my eyes at the grenade-lobbing wars more passionate gamers engage in over character, plot, design, or wardrobe. I like what I like and they like what they like, and that ability for all of us to "have it our way" is part of what makes modern gaming so amazing. 

That said, I want to take a couple of steps away from that "to each his/her own" stance and share my observations on this very interesting "HeShep-SheShep" situation that BioWare has gotten itself into.

I've played through ME1 and 2 many times. The first six or seven playthroughs were all done with default male Shepards. Having seen some of the old original articles and posts in support of "trying out" a female Shepard, not long ago I decided to give it a try. The result? While I'll probably dust off John Shepard at some point after ME3 is released, he won't be my first ME3 Shepard, and he may have to wait a very long time to get his turn.

This was my experience:

As has been stated many times, the voice acting experience you get with a female Shepard really is amazing. It's hard to talk about this without violating one of the thread's stated "House Rules" by making a negative comparison, but I will just say that I found myself believing the female character much more often. RPGs are fun, but let's face it, selecting responses on a wheel, cracking every safe you walk by, and racing around battlefields gathering up thermal clips aren't things that work together to enhance the realism of the experience. At least for me, the realization that I was finding a character in an RPG believable was pretty shocking. And very cool.

Something about watching this rather petite woman demonstrating the toughness that the Shepard character demands ratchets up the excitement level throughout the course of the game. Things I took for granted when Shep-Guy did them became the stuff of legend when this little "I-caught-that-smirk-on-your-face-when-you-first-saw-me" orphan marched in and got the job done. Think about it: if a six-foot-one, 190-pound Shepard is tough, how much tougher is one who gets the same results but is five-foot-six and 120 pounds soaking wet? And I guess having to beat the crap out of Blue Suns Mercs who say things like "Well aren't you sweet?" toughens you up too....

Pretty soon I realized that, along with the increased excitement, I was experiencing something I can't remember ever experiencing before in a game. I respected this character. Real, honest-to-goodness respect. Wow - how did that happen?

I'm sold. This game went from excellent to amazing when I made the switch to a FemShep.  

All that said, I did find I needed to make some changes early on. I strongly disliked the default Jane Shepard face. She felt childish, with a weak jaw and pouty lips that made her look like she'd sucked her thumb way too often as a kid. Jennifer Hale's strong voice just couldn't be coming out of that mouth. Worse, when I looked at the time and effort that had gone into modeling the John Shepard default face, I felt slighted. The default female face looked like it had been thrown together by an apprentice during a lunch break, even when compared to the detail in the faces of secondary characters like Ashley (or, in ME2, Miranda). So, ever since my first FemShep playthrough of ME1, I've been evolving a custom FemShep who feels more realistic and believable (to me, anyway; your results may vary).

Playing through now with my custom "Rhea Shepard" feels just about right, though I share others' wishes that we had more options for bulding believable and more varied characters.

I always play towards the Paragon, though interestingly I've noticed that Rhea Shepard ends up with a higher Renegade score than I usually got playing a male Shepard. Maybe I push her farther in that direction to counter those "aren't you sweet" reactions.... Most of the time, I also use the Earthborn ("Rhea" means "Earth") / Survivor / Soldier bio, because it just fits the characterization I've internalized.

This was the original Rhea from ME1:


This is my current version of Rhea:



Threw a few more shots in an album here.

Finally, here are some things I wish BioWare would think about as they push towards an ME3 release:

1. While I understand that conventional marketing wisdom (now there's three words you won't see drinking together in a bar) stresses the importance of establishing a strong, iconic main character, by sticking to that model BioWare is missing a tremendous marketing opportunity. All this time they could have been using the male/female main characer choice to target and strengthen market segments the gaming industry has always considered weak. And they could have done it without any damage to their gravy train demographic. When you think about the possibilities of a binary marketing campaign, new opportunities run up and beg you to pay attention:

• Game box and media case with two "fronts" - manShep on one side and femShep on the other
  
• Variant trailers pushed out to different market segments
  
• Press Releases that play up the revolutionary ability to choose strong male or strong female leads in the same game
  
• ,,,etc...

2. It makes little sense to produce such a high-quality character personalization experience, then market only the facets of it that make it sound just like any other RPG. Again, this disconnect between the game's considerable creative talent and the company's marketing machine just results in missed revenue opportunities. It's not as if a more innovative marketing strategy is going to cost an arm and a leg; the capability is already there in the game. Yet, as I've watched this issue develop over the past year or two, I can only shake my head as the company's spokepeople offer objections based on little more than anecdotes and poorly conceived, completely unreliable surveys. "Most people just accept the default" is the weakest. The very concept of a single default when two equally viable options are available guarantees that result. Here's a novel idea: Split the screen down the middle, put equally well-designed male and female Shepards on it so that both can be seen at once, and don't pre-select one or the other. See what this does? The question of whether most users select the default can no longer even be asked - there isn't one - and BioWare has just fundamentally altered the RPG playing field.

But without some fresh thinking within its management ranks, and a willingness to accept the notion that the modern profile of "The Gamer" is rapidly becoming a caricaturization rather than any useful basis for marketing decisions, we can expect to see only More of the Same.      

Modifié par SkaldFish, 27 janvier 2011 - 12:44 .

[ELE08]

SkaldFish wrote...

I'm a guy, and a long-time gamer (two words - "Pong" and "Intellivision" - will set the perspective), but I don't usually think of myself as someone who takes up "gaming issues." It's entertainment, I enjoy it, and I know that my tastes and preferences aren't necessarily going to be shared by others -- nor should I expect otherwise. I've historically rolled my eyes at the grenade-lobbing wars more passionate gamers engage in over character, plot, design, or wardrobe. I like what I like and they like what they like, and that ability for all of us to "have it our way" is part of what makes modern gaming so amazing. 

That said, I want to take a couple of steps away from that "to each his/her own" stance and share my observations on this very interesting "HeShep-SheShep" situation that BioWare has gotten itself into.

I've played through ME1 and 2 many times. The first six or seven playthroughs were all done with default male Shepards. Having seen some of the old original articles and posts in support of "trying out" a female Shepard, not long ago I decided to give it a try. The result? While I'll probably dust off John Shepard at some point after ME3 is released, he won't be my first ME3 Shepard, and he may have to wait a very long time to get his turn.

This was my experience:
-snip-

I won't quote the whole thing because it's massive, but thanks for sharing.  Well written and it's always interesting to read the perspective of others.

On your Shepard - she has a great design that strikes a balance between practical and attractive.  She looks like a normal woman.

I too love Hale's VA.  I've found myself very moved by the way she delivers certain lines or the inflection of her voice.  It's powerful, and when I think of Shepard I hear female Shepard's voice.  Male Shepard just doesn't give me that emotional reaction.  I respect that other people prefer him and I think he does a good job, but that's just my personal opinion.

But without some fresh thinking within its management ranks, and a
willingness to accept the notion that the modern profile of "The Gamer"
is rapidly becoming a caricaturization rather than any useful basis for
marketing decisions, we can expect to see only More of the Same.

The idea of the "Male Gamer Demographic" is changing as more people of both genders grow up on games.  Hopefully some day gender in games will be a non-issue.  Right now it seems to be a very polarizing topic.  Just read the comments on this article Girl Gamers to see the lack of consensus.  Some think most females in games are objectified some think they aren't.  Some think it's a major hurdle to be a woman playing online games.  Others think because they've never encountered any sexism it doesn't exist, and others feel like woman should just "man up" and deal with it.  I'm not sure myself.  I think the fact it's being discussed means it's an issue.

Back on to femshep though, I think Bioware did a great job with her making her a real woman that doesn't need a skimpy outfit or other trappings to be viable.  She's a female protagonist you can respect and relate to.  Their marketing may be way behind, but their games are some of the best in this regard.

[Reverie]

Ele I love your face textures, so much so I'm having a hard time deciding which one to keep in my game. I think I've reloaded ME2 about 4 times now.

[JamieCOTC]

SkaldFish wrote...

Pretty soon I realized that, along with the increased excitement, I was experiencing something I can't remember ever experiencing before in a game. I respected this character. Real, honest-to-goodness respect. Wow - how did that happen?

I'm sold. This game went from excellent to amazing when I made the switch to a FemShep.    

Just snipping to make it shorter.  First of all, your femShep does strike a great balance between real life woman and asskicker.  Your post is a great analysis of the character and how so many forget that the woman usually HAS to be stronger to do the same things a man can do. As to the comparison between manShep and femShep there is an unwritten rule among many fans that the guy is the avatar and the woman is the character.  I know not everyone shares that sentiment, but it’s hard for me to see it in any other light.  Welcome aboard and I know Ryn and others are going to love your post. 

[Timberley]

SkaldFish wrote...

...

I always play towards the Paragon, though interestingly I've noticed that Rhea Shepard ends up with a higher Renegade score than I usually got playing a male Shepard. Maybe I push her farther in that direction to counter those "aren't you sweet" reactions.... Most of the time, I also use the Earthborn ("Rhea" means "Earth") / Survivor / Soldier bio, because it just fits the characterization I've internalized.

...

This is what got me too.  When I created my pair of Shepards, male and female, I always tended towards the Paragon path.  But, when playing as Katie Shepard, I found I added more Renegade responses to the mix.  There's just something about Jennifer Hale's voice that compels me to think a wee bit more 'anti-hero'.  She just sounds that bit more bad-ass. 

Nothing against Mark Meer, he does a great job as ManShep, but he's a lot more 'heroic' in his delivery.  I find my play style's also evolved as I continue my canon run through with Katie.  It's a lot more... visceral I suppose is the word.  But, both Sheps are Spacer War Hero Adepts (hey I just like the fabby Biotic powers, and speaking to your mother in ME1 was great too).

I do think Bioware are missing a trick here too.  It says a lot that quite a few guys are playing as FemShep and loving the experience (in some cases loving the experience better than playing as ManShep).  It'd be nice to have something amongst the upcoming ME3 trailes/interviews/GP vids/etc that showed FemShep.  Maybe a mini-segment or dev diary type thing showing the differences between playing as ManShep and FemShep in a certain scene.  For example, I laughed my arse off when I first heard the line the Blue Suns recruiter gave you in Afterlife, and definitely hit the Renegade interrupt as soon as it appeared.  I'd only been playing as ManShep up until then, so had no idea this dialogue existed.  Something like that would highlight the diversity of playthroughs you can experience.

Tim

P.S. ELE, once again you make magic with models and textures!

Edit:  On the topic of girl gamers, a friend of mine in Denmark is uber-excited about an upcoming shooter game, as she'll be able to play as a female, and not a default faceless male.  This is something she's wanted since the days of Joint Operations from Novalogic, when you could play as a female Delta Force operator.  Shows that the demand's out there (I know she's not alone judging by the responses of other friends in this group on Teamspeak - not all of them from the females either!), it's just something that companies need to think about a wee bit more.

Modifié par Timberley, 27 janvier 2011 - 01:35 .

[ELE08]

Reverie wrote...

Ele I love your face textures, so much so I'm having a hard time deciding which one to keep in my game. I think I've reloaded ME2 about 4 times now.

Awesome!  Please share when you do

OT but on the topic of mods, is everything in the projects tab...gone?

[ELE08]

Timberley wrote...

Maybe a mini-segment or dev diary type thing showing the differences between playing as ManShep and FemShep in a certain scene.  For example, I laughed my arse off when I first heard the line the Blue Suns recruiter gave you in Afterlife, and definitely hit the Renegade interrupt as soon as it appeared.  I'd only been playing as ManShep up until then, so had no idea this dialogue existed.  Something like that would highlight the diversity of playthroughs you can experience.

Oh gosh, I would LOVE this.  I'm a Mass Effect junkie and I watch all their teaser material and behind the scenes crap.  A femshep feature would make my day.

[Gilsa]

@SkaldFish -- Loved reading about your experiences with both male and female Shepard. (Awesome screenshots, too!) I am curious if the romances feel different to you on a femShep. Do you miss the LIs for John Shepard? Or is it all the same?

[Sable Phoenix]

SkaldFish wrote...

>very reluctant snippage<

"Most people just accept the default" is the weakest. The very concept of a single default when two equally viable options are available guarantees that result. Here's a novel idea: Split the screen down the middle, put equally well-designed male and female Shepards on it so that both can be seen at once, and don't pre-select one or the other. See what this does? The question of whether most users select the default can no longer even be asked - there isn't one - and BioWare has just fundamentally altered the RPG playing field.

You.  Me.  Vegas.  Now.  You buy the plane tickets and I'll book the chapel.

In all seriousness, if it wasn't so long I would've quoted the whole thing, because you wrote everything I would want to say about femShep and BioWare's mishandling of her, but better than I could.  I love your femShep, and I love what you said.  The warmest of warm welcomes to you, I feel honored and exhilarated that you've joined the femShep thread and community.

Modifié par Sable Phoenix, 27 janvier 2011 - 01:59 .

[scampermax]

ELE08 wrote...

OT but on the topic of mods, is everything in the projects tab...gone?

urk. I just had a heart attack.

[ELE08]

scampermax wrote...

ELE08 wrote...

OT but on the topic of mods, is everything in the projects tab...gone?

urk. I just had a heart attack.

So...yes?

oh wait sorry *gets out the defibrillator for scampermax*

...So yes it's all gone?

Modifié par ELE08, 27 janvier 2011 - 02:03 .

[scampermax]

ELE08 wrote...

scampermax wrote...

ELE08 wrote...

OT but on the topic of mods, is everything in the projects tab...gone?

urk. I just had a heart attack.

So...yes?

oh wait sorry *gets out the defibrillator for scampermax*

...So yes it's all gone?

mine are all gone. I don't see any in the projects tab either.

[Cyansomnia]

@ELE and Chignon

Those photo manips of your FemSheps and Kaidan are so gorgeous! Love them!

I really wish I could make something like that of MacKenzie or Trista. I'll just have to settle on videos instead. =-)

Speaking of which, a good idea for a new video with Mac and Kaidan has drifted into my mind. I've actually wanted to make another Kaidan/FemShep vid.

I'm currently feeling really bummed out... I'm a little worried about how things are going to go for Holly and Thane in the future. I guess I knew that when they got together, but the video I was working on (and will finish soon) is really getting to me.

I'm a very emotional person, so when I make these videos I kind of pour that out into them. Silly, I know, but I can't help it.

Modifié par Aislinn Trista, 27 janvier 2011 - 02:05 .

[ELE08]

scampermax wrote...

ELE08 wrote...

scampermax wrote...

ELE08 wrote...

OT but on the topic of mods, is everything in the projects tab...gone?

urk. I just had a heart attack.

So...yes?

oh wait sorry *gets out the defibrillator for scampermax*

...So yes it's all gone?

mine are all gone. I don't see any in the projects tab either.

Hopefully it's temporary.

[scampermax]

ELE08 wrote...

[snip]

Hopefully it's temporary.

yes. good thing I'm anal about backups.

-----

edit to put this slightly on topic

Modifié par scampermax, 27 janvier 2011 - 02:11 .

[Cyansomnia]

@scamper and ELE

Oh no! I hope that it's temporary as well. I love your texmods so much.

Is feeling a lot like Moira today.  Ruthless.  

Modifié par Aislinn Trista, 27 janvier 2011 - 02:16 .