The Female Marine
She was one of the first features of Natural Selection 2 to ever be revealed to the world: an early concept gracing the original development blog. 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:
It is your support, and the success of NS2 on Steam, that has made this new addition to the game possible. The creation of finely detailed, high quality 3D models is expensive. They require extensive research time, concept art, texturing, modelling, and animation. After launch, we knew there were many features we wished to add to the game. We also knew that if NS2 didn't sell, adding them would be impossible. It certainly did sell - It is your purchases of NS2 that have brought this Marine to life.
The game industry has a history of depicting female characters inappropriately. Often, they are stylised to such a degree that they become sexual objects: While their male comrades are clothed, armed and armoured to fight, the female character is notable for the lack of any clothing at all. When female characters are granted equal protection, that protection often ignores basic laws of physics in favour of offering titillating form.
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. Her armour puts function before form, while adopting the science fiction, melee combat aligned design ques that have made the male marine so uniquely recognisable.
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 (available on Steam) will be able to select the 'Deluxe Armour' version. The standard green marine (the one you see in the top most render on this page) will be available to all players.
Female marines receive brand new first person view-models, one for each of the three model types. What's more: She is completely free. Right now, her animations are being completed, and she will be ready for combat by late August / early September. Come that time, all existing Natural Selection 2 players will receive immediate access. Every player will be able to choose to play as whatever gender soldier they feel represents them.
Natural Selection 2 is the struggle for survival between two species - One species just got a whole lot tougher.
