Is Square Enix Removing Gender Options in Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D Remake?

Square Enix might be shaking things up in the upcoming Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D Remake. Recent reports suggest some big changes to how players create their characters.

According to the Japanese website, Ryokutya2089 (noted by That Park Place), Square Enix is planning to ditch the usual “male” and “female” options.

Instead, players might choose between two characters simply called “A” and “B.” But what does this mean?

The report says option A looks more manly, while B looks more womanly. However, the game won’t label them as male or female heroes anymore.

This change goes beyond just the main character. Job classes might also lose their gender-specific names.

Interestingly, while the game might be moving away from explicit gender labels, the voice acting seems to be sticking to more traditional roles.

The report indicates that the “A” version of the character will be voiced by male actor Hiyama Nobuyuki, while the “B” version will feature the voice of Minaguchi Yuko, a female actor.

What’s Behind This Potential Change?

According to That Park Place, the internal ethics department at Square Enix may be the reason behind the new character designs.

Previously, they heavily redesigned Tifa’s character in Final Fantasy VII Remake, which did not sit well with traditional game fans.

Game director Tetsuya Nomura later revealed that the ethics department was responsible for changes to Tifa’s appearance, including “tightening” her chest to appear more “covered” I mean “realistic” during intense fight scenes.

According to a Square Enix representative, the ethics department evaluates game content to ensure it aligns with global age rating standards. But their role goes beyond just checking boxes for ratings.

Mari Tanabe, one of the team members, gave us a peek behind the curtain.

“They’re involved from the early planning stages, checking everything from scenarios and illustrations to designs and effects. Their goal? To avoid discriminatory, prejudicial, or offensive content while still maintaining the integrity of the developers’ creative vision.”

It looks like they are heavily inspired by Sweet Baby Inc.(as one shareholder even questioned the involvement of SBI in Square Enix in a recent earnings call).

So, if these reports are true, the ethics department may have another surprise in store, this time for the longtime fans of Dragon Quest.

The series has always let players pick their hero’s gender, so this could represent a significant shift in the franchise’s approach to character creation.

What Else Can We Expect from the Dragon Quest 3 HD 2D Remake?

While the potential character creation changes are grabbing headlines, let’s not forget what else the remake has in store.

The game is set to release on November 14th for Nintendo Switch (announced at Nintendo Direct), with potential releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, and Windows.

It’s promising to bring the classic RPG into the modern era with Square Enix’s gorgeous HD 2D art style.