What is common in Asian role-playing games caused astonishment for some players in this country: In some classes of the successful MMO Lost Ark, only female or only male characters can be selected. However, this restriction, known as gender lock, is to be gradually softened according to the will of the developers.
In a Statement to the Eurogamer website explains publisher Amazon what changes are planned for the classes of Lost Ark and also the armor of female characters. We summarize the most important things for you.
By the way, if you’re still wondering why Lost Ark was also able to become such a great success in Europe, then watch our video:
15:32
Lost Ark – The Price and Reasons for the Incredible Steam Record
This is how the classes should change
The European version of Lost Ark lets you choose from five different base classes at the beginning of the game. Already in the tutorial you have to specialize in one of a total of 15 subclasses within these classes.
Depending on whether your character is male or female, he cannot choose every subclass of his base class. For example, female gunners can only become art shooters, while male gunners can choose between the artilleryman, the death gunner, and the sniper. With magicians it’s the other way around. There are only female classes here.
You can find out more about the Lost Ark classes in our guide:
Lost Ark Guide
All classes and which are the best
In theory, there are already classes available for both genders. For example, the female war dancer and the male war monk. Both classes share the same resources, but have different, albeit similar, abilities.
In the future, further female or male equivalents for the respective classes are to be developed. However, since other animations have to be developed for this, among other things, this takes a lot of time and work. It is significantly more effort than simply creating a new model.
women in games
Where the real challenge lies and where the solution
As an example, Soomin Park from Amazon Games mentions the Berserker class, which will soon also be playable as a female version in Korea. It can therefore be assumed that the berserker will probably also be the next class that offers a female alternative to the male berserker.
A first look at the Berserker.
Many players are also hoping that the European version of Lost Ark will add missing classes from the original. According to our survey, you are missing two classes in particular:
Lost Ark
You miss these classes the most
New armor for female characters
Again and again, the very revealing armor sets for female characters caused criticism. The fact that they often have to be content with skimpy outfits while male characters are in full armor also results in accusations of sexism.
Here, too, Smilegate promises changes: the more revealing armor should no longer be the focus of character creation and marketing. There will also be new clothing and armor options, but they will not replace the existing sets.
The aim is to take into account hardcore fans who want to experience the game as closely as possible to the Korean original. But new players who don’t like some of the armor should also be considered.
