Which is stupid, because like I said, they could have made a new female Lin Kuei 'Cyborg', and show Cyrax in her ladder ending as a promise for a comeback in the sequel or something. No one would have complained. But they wanted their cake and eat it as well. They wanted the name CYRAX on the roster, and like you said, they knew their roster was becoming a sausage fest, so Cyrax was sacrificed on the altar of diversity.
They're facing a very tough decision on that because the characters that are coming in the expansion are overall characters that a lot of people have been asking for a while.
So, I'm aware that this just applies to me, but as a big fan of Cyrax and Sektor, I think they should have sat this game out since they are already in as kameos. Keep them as kameos, use them in the story, but add different characters in the main roster. I don't think it was a particularly hard decision, but this is also just me and I'm okay with my favorites being just kameos.
Truth be told, my main focus is competitive gameplay mechanics. But I am somewhat invested in the lore, more specifically the story and character arcs. Making Cyrax a woman doesnt impact either. Just like if they gave Ermac a female look, its role remains unchanged in the scope of the story. If they made Liu Kang a woman, that would be different because it changes his relationship dynamics with Kitana, with Johnny, etc. Changing the gender of a less than minor character in a game that is touted as a reset of the universe, ultimately doesnt matter (in terms of lore). I want them to develop the character of Cyrax.... and Cyrax can be written as a baddass with a compelling character arc regardless of gender.
I think you're more reasonable and level headed than most of the terminally online fans, then.
But that's the thing: Literally no one asked NRS to make Cyrax a woman. Nobody. I mean, sure, people who don't give a fuck about the character won't mind any sort of changes they do to him, but ultimately their opinions do not matter since they were never fans of the character in the first place. Fans of Cyrax never asked for a sex change.
I'm absolutely positive that a lot of people (Cyrax fans or not) will play and enjoy the character and not give that much of a shit. I really think no one except for a very small minority actually cares.
Am I the only one who's never taken MK that seriously? I see this take online sometimes and I don't really get it. My problem with the last 2 games was specifically that I felt they were taking themselves too seriously and I'm glad this game is different.
Not what I asked.
The answer is because they can and because they thought it was a good idea, just like all the radical character changes we got this game. It's not that deep imo. Not a single person asked for a non-Hanzo Scorpion, either.
So you are saying that they catered to themselves.
''Very serious fighting game with a deep story and well-developed characters'' What are you smoking and can I have some?
On that, I will 100% agree. MK isn't deep or thought provoking or anything. It has as much depth as Dragon Ball, and that's ever since the NRS era where the characters got something resembling characterization.
They dont cater to themselves. They are a business who is trying to attract new customers. Simple. Changing a less than minor character to try and attract new fans for whom such diversity is important is only going to bother a fraction of a fraction of the MK base and they dont give a shit. Especially since they gave themselves carte blanche with the whole reset of universe cliche.
Ironically enough there are quite a few characters who got more depth in this game than in the entirety of the rest of the series combined. MK was never serious. A lot of people think blood and gore = seriousness.
The people whom this female Cyrax is targeted to were never asking for female Cyrax. They were asking for Sonya, Jade, Skarlet, Sareena, Kira, Cetrion and Sheeva.
I'm asking for a few of those characters and I'm intrigued and excited to try female Cyrax.
You're assuming the change was targeted towards existing MK fans and Id argue it wasnt. Id argue it was for new players who knew very little of the game but got taken in by the massive marketing the game received and were interested in trying it. NRS is a business, with a market research budget and the whole shabang. Maybe they saw some people complain not enough female characters and that was their attempt. Regardless, Cyrax can be a badass as a man or woman, you just need good writing.
I have no doubt that the character will deliver, though I fear this will make Jacqui obsolete. Heck, they may have done this to re-purpose Jacqui altogether and re-package her as 'Cyrax'.
I'd argue people who kinda sorta enjoy the character but also like it when things keep changing up and aren't always the same might enjoy this new take on the character, too. I'm one of those people.
Wait, they did? Where did that happen?
Watch Smoke's ending.
Possible. Jacqui was boring af IMO. Her character revolved around "Jax's daughter'' lol
I understand you feel targeted but does it make sense to you that NRS would make efforts to decide on changes that impact 2% of their MK fanbase? Even if yes, the people who "kinda sorta'' like Cyrax will not care about the gender or superficial changes. I get the feeling you like Cyrax more than Kinda Sorta. And what new take? Changing his gender is not a "new take". An actual new take on the character is what happened to Reptile.NeonGroovyGator said: