Helloo, I’d like to offer some specific ideas on how to improve the Character customization in Diablo IV. With the release being somewhat close I am fully aware that the development will not be able to include all or maybe any of these things, yet I find player expression most important in a game I spend hundreds of hours in. Especially with a Transmog System that allows for removal of Helmets and cutscenes showing your own character very well. If not for release then let this be something to keep in mind for later additions/cosmetic updates to the game.
Also here are some examples of Games I am drawing inspiration from in terms of what I want in Character customization: Elden Ring, Final Fantasy XIV, Code Vein, Dragon’s Dogma, Saints Row, Monster Hunter World. Most of which are cheaper than Diablo IV, so I think they are reasonable comparisons regardless of Genre. If you want an example of the same Genre, Diablo Immortal does it fine too!
Okidoki let’s start with colors!
For any color selection it would be nice to have a color wheel, offering all colors- maybe with having an option to input numerically either RGB values or a color code, so you can chose a specific color- any color you want. You can still have some color templates besides in addition- it doesn’t need to be one or the other. It can be just an option for people not satisfied with the base selection. This greatly increases possible colors by simply implementing another custom option. Diablo Immortal for example has a free color selection- although lacking precise numerical input for specific colors. This could be taken and be done better. Elden Ring for example is a recent title that did color selection masterfully. Monster Hunter World is another example of offering color templates and colorwheel both.
For any concerns about colors not matching the ambience/theme of the game you could take away saturation of any color, to avoid having like bright flashy colors like neon green. Although I personally think policing how somebody is allowed to look in a videogame is kind of old fashioned nowadays. Freedom of expression should not be restricted when it comes to your own very personal character you spend hundreds of hours with. You should be able to look however you want in a fantasy world, even if it’s a dark less saturated fantasy world, your character can still reflect this with very low saturated blue hair.
Hair extra colors
As seen in the beta with some templates (like Red plus White mixed) can be either added as a Toggle (White Hair mixed in: Yes - No) or a free selection of a secondary color. The latter would of course open up more freedom to the player- like choosing a combination of blonde and red instead.
Eyes & unique Eye options
Eyes should offer the same selection on color, however there are unique Eye option like for Necromancer having black instead of white sclera with the vampiric red eyes and the necromancy blue eyes. This could be opened up by making the sclera color a toggle between white and black while selecting the main color of the eye on it’s own. I’d like to have yellow eyes with black sclera for example, with already having red glowing vampiric eyes, I think yellow would be fine too. Other effects like glowy eyes on other classes can be a toggle instead of being tied to the eye color as well.
Make Up!
Make Lipstick, Eyeliner/Eyeshadows and Tattoos/Markings on the Face seperate options you can chose to combine, or don’t. You don’t have to add much more options, but allow us to chose for example Lipstick independant of the options around the eyes. A custom color option for all of these would be very welcome as well.
Unnatural skin color (like for Necromancer) or skin painting
The skin color options are already pretty okay, although a colorwheel would also increase that. I think unnatural colors like light blue or reddish would be cool too. Maybe even green if you want to look like a zombie! It could be like a full body painting too! This is a more obscure option probably, but I always enjoy a little bit more unnatural skin colors for undead/demonic/vampiric looking characters. Even if it’s just paint.
That’s my thoughts regarding colors, next up the general appearance options!
Bodytypes and Shape
This would require some more effort and development time but has been heavily requested so far and I would love that too for each class! Maybe allow us to select more or less muscles independantly so everyone can chose how much they’d like to have on their character.
Height options
Let us be small or tall as we like! Doesn’t have to be extreme, in Final Fantasy XIV for example the difference between min and max isn’t that big but I love this option!
Seperate Nose and Mouth from Face
It would be nice to be able to select nose and mouth seperately from the preset Face, to mix in a bit more Variation without adding tons of new faces.
Faces!
Speaking of Faces, more options would still be welcome, 4 is very very low in modern Games! (Maybe that’s a beta thingy idk)
Saving of Character Templates is something I’d like to be able to do as well, given the options increase. As of now it’s not really necessary but the more options you have- the more this possibility would be a great addition.
Ookay, I know it’s a lot at once but that’s my thoughts after the beta. Idk if anyone from the Development team will ever see or consider these things, but they are important to me as a customer so I wanted to share my thoughts on something I spend much time on in every game I play. Regardless of what you think of customization I’d like more options for us all and these are simply ideas I personally would enjoy. Feel free to add onto it. I don’t really want to be stuck here argueing a lot about wether a Diablo Game should have this or not- so these are some direct solutions to add onto the character creation. I liked that Diablo Immortal improved on customization and it would dissapoint me if Diablo IV would walk backwards on it. I’m always for more player expression and customization and I’d like to invest more into a character I spend so much time with! Especially when being able to match my transmog with it!
Oki that’s it from my end. Hopefully this is more helpful than upsetting.