Dragon's Dogma 2's developers at Capcom have revealed their surprise at the player base's strong emphasis on character customization and fashion, often valuing aesthetic appeal over the statistical benefits of equipment. This sentiment was shared by game director Kento Kinoshita and producer Naoto Oyama in an interview regarding the upcoming Dark Arisen expansion and ongoing game updates.
Kinoshita noted that while the team initially assumed players were primarily focused on the game's realistic adventure elements, they received significant feedback indicating a strong player preference for stylish outfits. "We just assumed people were more focused on the realistic adventure, but there were many people who asked for more fashionable items and more ways to dress up in the game," Kinoshita stated, expressing his unexpected discovery. He further elaborated on this, questioning if players actively seek out fancier equipment regardless of its practical advantages.
The game offers a wide variety of outfits, many featuring customizable colors and patterns. However, a common challenge players face is that the most visually appealing armor often comes with poor defensive or offensive stats. This frequently forces players to equip gear that compromises their character's appearance for survival, leading to instances where characters might appear comically underdressed or ill-equipped during serious in-game quests.
The popularity of in-depth character customization has grown across many games, with some players dedicating substantial time to perfecting their avatars. The surprise from the Dragon's Dogma 2 team suggests an oversight in anticipating how this trend would manifest within their own title, particularly the potential player dissatisfaction with prioritizing stats over appearance.
The forthcoming Dark Arisen expansion is set to introduce new armors, which are hoped to strike a better balance between statistical benefits and visual design. Additionally, the expansion will bring new customization options, including 21 new hairstyles. Despite these planned improvements, players beginning the game for the first time may still encounter situations where they must choose less fashionable gear due to early-game limitations and resource scarcity.