Character customization, armor presentation, and visual updates

The update showcases a new character selection presentation, expanded race customization, revised armor attachment, and a broader visual overhaul affecting environments, effects, and animation work. None of the shown assets are presented as final; the team repeatedly describes them as an early but substantial step forward.

Character customization system

The new customization pass includes more face presets, hairstyles, beard styles, skin colors, tattoos, scars, jewelry, masks, and race-specific options than earlier public builds. The system is described as data-driven, which is intended to make it easier to add more options over time, including after release.

Scars are highlighted as more than flat textures. They are said to react to lighting through normal maps, and facial scars can affect beard growth so that hair does not appear to grow through scarred areas.

Human customization

Humans are shown with multiple face presets, hair colors, hairstyles, beard styles, tattoos, and scars. The update frames this as a baseline race example for the new customization structure.

Undead customization

The Undead receive a more distinctive set of options centered on prosthetics and masks. Shown features include porcelain-style prosthetic hands and facial coverings ranging from partial masks to full-face masks. The eye sockets are described as containing customizable soul wisps rather than normal eyes, with different glow colors planned or already present.

The team also mentions plans for more decayed facial detail, including exposed bone and more pronounced rotting features, though these are not yet fully implemented.

Infernal Demon customization

The Infernal Demon is presented as one of the races receiving especially close attention. Customization shown includes varied skin tones, race-specific tattoos, scars, jewelry, and hairstyles. The race’s body shell or outer surface is described as having its own color treatment tied to the character’s appearance.

The update emphasizes a desire to make Infernal Demons feel visually distinctive to Scars of Honor rather than generic demon archetypes.

Baron customization and planned rework

The Baron is shown with tribal-style tattoos, braided hairstyles, and other race-specific options, but is also identified as the race most in need of further iteration. The team states that the current Baron model and presentation are not final and that animation issues are making the race appear slimmer or less imposing than intended.

Future work is said to focus on making both male and female Barons larger, broader, and more physically imposing, with a stronger silhouette and posture.

Female race variants

Female versions of the showcased races are also shown, including female Baron and female Undead. The female Undead model is presented as a new addition with its own styling and prosthetic presentation. The female Baron is described as having the same general customization structure as the male version, though the current pose and rigging are acknowledged as unfinished.

Armor system changes

A new armor attachment system is described as allowing equipment to fit different races more effectively. The team highlights this as a major technical improvement because it supports more three-dimensional armor pieces and better visual consistency across different body types.

Class starting gear is also shown changing on the character selection screen, indicating that equipment presentation is now more tightly integrated with class choice.

Graphics and effects overhaul

The update repeatedly frames the current build as visually very different from earlier versions of the game. This includes revised terrain presentation, improved environmental look, new visual effects for spells, and ongoing work on locomotion and attack animations.

Specific praise is given to spell effects such as the Knight’s healing visuals and the Mage’s fire-based abilities. The environment of Farabel is also shown with a revised terrain and foliage treatment, and faction hubs are presented with stronger visual identity, especially the Undead-aligned domination hub.

Performance considerations

The customization system is described as optimized despite the larger number of visible options. The team explains that character appearance is assembled into a single baked material rather than loading every customization element as a separate texture set, which is intended to keep performance manageable.

Status of the visual work

The update makes clear that the art overhaul is still in progress. Several rigs, animations, and race presentations are described as needing more polish or technical correction. Even so, the current state is presented as a major step beyond earlier public builds in both fidelity and flexibility.

Source

• Recording: Battleground Gameplay & BGS Recap | Scars of Honor Development Update - October 2024
• YouTube: Watch on YouTube
• Published: Monday, October 21, 2024 at 12:10 PM UTC