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World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands is killing its gender transition feeBarbers ain’t just for haircuts anymore
Barbers ain’t just for haircuts anymore
Prior to the in-game barbershop, the only way to alter your character’s hair, skin colour, facial features or gender was through a paid character customisation service. Popping to the hairdressers from Wrath Of The Lich King onwards soon made much of that redundant, but you’d still need to fork out £13 to change gender or skin colour.
Speaking to our pals atEurogamer, however, executive producer John Hight explained that the cost of transition is being removed in World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands. “As we were adding things up in Shadowlands, we realised, ‘Gosh the only way you can change your gender inWorld of Warcraftis to go through this paid service,” Hight explains. “And we felt like that’s not the right message.”
While he admits it’s something they “right now”, expect this change to arrive when Shadowlands rolls around later this year. Granted, even 13 quid was still a damn sight cheaper and more timely than trying to achieve the same means via the UK’s healthcare service. Damn, Nat, got ‘em.
The conversation apparently came up after discussing a minor Shadowlands character named Pelagos, who -according to a forum post last week- many reckon may be the game’s first openly trans character. As community manager Kaivax explained: “A key part of theBastionstoryline is that Aspirants are able to choose a physical form that represents their true self. Pelagos, who presented as a woman in his mortal life, chose to be a man in the Shadowlands”.
I’m not sure that I trust Blizzard with a trans narrative right now, even for as seemingly minor a character. Honestly, though, I’m not sure what them pulling one off would even look like. But hey, maybe they’ll manage it. I’d not be averse to seeing more varied voices in that world, after all. It’s just a shame your man had to die before transitioning - that’s a damn sight more costly than a tenner-and-change.
Our on-call World Of Warcraft expert Christos Reid has beenplugging away at Shadowlandsfor the last few weeks. With a massively revamped new player experience, the ageing MMO might finally be something you can recommend to pals without signing them up for a months-long trawl through decade-old questing. Nice, that.
