Natural Selection 2‘s female marine’s armor puts function before form. There are no “boob plates” here.
First Person Shooters are usually a man’s game, often featuring dudebros with biceps as big as their heads and only including female characters as off-screen love interests. The developers behind indie smash hit Natural Selection 2 aim to break that stereotype, with the introduction of the female marine. “She is symbolic of the type of game developer that Unknown Worlds seeks to be. She was promised post-release. She is badass. And today, she is here.”
Furthermore, Unknown Worlds stresses that the female marine is a soldier, and won’t be sporting the kind of ridiculous outfits that are usually forced upon female characters in games. “This is not good enough, and it’s not a trope Unknown Worlds will entertain. Games are legitimate cultural influences, and game developers are responsible for the message they choose to convey to players. The Natural Selection 2 female marine is first and foremost, like her male colleague, a soldier.”
Players will be able to choose from three versions of the female marine. Those that purchased the Special Edition of Natural Selection 2 way back before the Beta will be able to select the ‘Black Armour’ version, just as they can currently select the male Black Armour marine. Those that own the Deluxe Edition will be able to select the ‘Deluxe Armour’ version.
Right now, Unknown Worlds just has to finish up some of her animations, so she should be released, completely free, to all owners of Natural Selection 2 in late August/Early September. Every player will be able to choose to play as whatever gender soldier they feel represents them.
Source: Unknown Worlds
