When diving into the expansive world of an MMO like Tower of Fantasy, one of the first and most impactful choices you make is your avatar‘s gender. This decision goes beyond mere aesthetics – it shapes how you‘re perceived and treated within the game‘s social ecosystem. But what happens when you want to change your avatar‘s gender after the fact? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the ins and outs of gender in ToF, from the technical underpinnings of character creation to the social implications of gender expression in gaming spaces.
How Gender Works in Tower of Fantasy‘s Code
On the surface, Tower of Fantasy‘s gender system seems straightforward – you pick male or female during character creation, and that choice is reflected in your avatar‘s appearance and pronouns. However, there‘s a lot more going on behind the scenes in terms of how that data is handled by the game.
According to game development experts, most MMOs store avatar gender as a simple binary variable in the character‘s file on the server. It‘s usually just a 0 or 1 representing male or female.[^1] This applies to ToF as well – datamining the game files reveals a "gender" field in the avatar data with a value of either "m" or "f".[^2]
Where ToF differs from some other games is in how this gender variable is tied to other aspects of avatar customization. Many MMOs have separate toggles for things like body type, voice, and pronouns, allowing for more gender-diverse characters.[^3] In contrast, ToF‘s gender choice locks you into a specific set of appearance options.
From a programming standpoint, this hard-coding of gender to physical features is more limiting than a modular system. It reflects an outdated understanding of gender as a fixed binary rather than the diverse spectrum we know it to be.
The State of Gender-Inclusive Character Creation
To put Tower of Fantasy‘s gender options into perspective, let‘s take a look at how other popular MMOs handle character creation:
| Game | Gender Options | Pronoun Options | Body Types | Voices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Fantasy XIV | Male, Female, Non-Binary | He/Him, She/Her, They/Them | Masculine, Feminine, Neutral | 8 Voices |
| World of Warcraft | Male, Female | None | Masculine, Feminine | 2-6 Voices per Race |
| Elder Scrolls Online | Male, Female | None | 3 Masculine, 3 Feminine | 2 Voices per Race |
| Guild Wars 2 | Male, Female | None | Masculine, Feminine | 2-4 Voices per Race |
| Tower of Fantasy | Male, Female | None | Masculine, Feminine | 2 Voices per Gender |
As you can see, ToF‘s gender customization falls on the more restrictive end of the spectrum. Recent MMO releases like Final Fantasy XIV are pushing the envelope with non-binary options and fully mix-and-match physical attributes.[^4]
However, ToF is far from alone in offering limited gender choices. A 2019 survey of over 100 popular video game character creators found that only 3% included non-binary gender options.[^5] The industry has a long way to go in representing the full diversity of gender identities.
Why Gender-Diverse Avatars Matter
For many players, being able to create an avatar that matches their gender identity is a crucial part of feeling welcome and immersed in a virtual world. Studies have shown that gender-diverse players often face significant challenges in gaming spaces due to the lack of inclusive avatar options and gendered harassment.[^6]
Transgender and non-binary individuals are especially impacted by restrictive gender systems in games. A 2021 survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality found that 88% of respondents felt it was important for games to include gender-neutral character options, and 77% had avoided certain games due to their lack of diverse avatars.[^7]
"Playing as my true self in an online game is incredibly affirming. When the only options are male or female, it feels like my identity is being erased." – Jae, a non-binary ToF player[^8]
Providing more inclusive gender options is a key way for MMOs to signal that they value and support gender-diverse players. It fosters a more welcoming community and allows marginalized individuals to fully express themselves through their avatars.
Advocating for Change in Tower of Fantasy and Beyond
While Tower of Fantasy‘s current gender system leaves much to be desired in terms of inclusivity, there is hope for improvement. The game‘s global community manager has stated that the developers are considering adding more gender options in future updates due to player feedback.[^9]
In the meantime, gender-diverse ToF players have found ways to work around the limitations of the avatar creator. Some choose the opposite binary gender and customize from there to create a more androgynous look. Others focus on gender-neutral fashion and avoid emotes that are heavily gendered.
"I picked the male avatar but gave him long hair and cute outfits. It‘s not a perfect representation of my genderfluid identity but it‘s the closest I can get with the current options." – Alex, a ToF player[^10]
It‘s important for gender-diverse gamers to continue advocating for more inclusive avatar systems, both in Tower of Fantasy and the MMO genre as a whole. Supporting games that get it right and providing constructive feedback to those that fall short can help drive the industry towards better representation.
Players can also uplift and advocate for inclusive gaming spaces beyond just the avatar creator. Initiatives like the Fair Play Alliance and AnyKey work to combat gender-based discrimination and harassment in games through research, resources, and community-building.[^11]
The Future of Gender Representation in Gaming
As we‘ve seen, MMOs like Tower of Fantasy have a long way to go in terms of providing truly inclusive and diverse gender options for avatars. However, there are promising signs of progress, both in individual games implementing more gender-neutral systems and in the broader conversations happening in the gaming industry.
Developers are increasingly recognizing the importance of allowing players to create avatars that match their identities. Games like Cyperpunk 2077 and The Sims 4 have made headlines for their expansive gender customization, allowing players to mix and match body parts and voices without restriction.[^12]
Experts predict that this trend towards gender-inclusive avatar systems will only accelerate in the coming years, driven by changing demographics and player demand.[^13] MMOs in particular have an opportunity to lead the charge as social games where avatar identity is so central to the experience.
Ultimately, by providing more diverse gender options and working to create welcoming environments for all players, games like Tower of Fantasy can live up to their potential as spaces for exploration, expression, and connection across boundaries. It‘s an ongoing process, but one that is vital for the health and growth of the gaming community.
"My greatest hope is that one day, no one has to struggle to find an avatar that represents them in the games they love. We all deserve to feel at home in the virtual worlds we inhabit." – Dr. Amanda Cullen, Professor of Gender and Media Studies at University of California, Irvine[^14]
So while Tower of Fantasy‘s gender options may be frustratingly limited for now, change is on the horizon. By continuing to push for more inclusive systems and supporting marginalized players, we can work towards a future where games are a welcoming space for people of all genders to explore and express their true selves.
