Update: The original post is based on incomplete information derived from an apparent mistranslation of the Nico Nico feed. Capcom producer Kazunori Sugiura has since provided a statement about the lack of playable female characters to Eurogamer:
“My name is Sugiura and I'm a producer at Capcom Japan. I was informed by a representative of one of our overseas branches that an article containing misleading information regarding deepdown has been recently circulating and drawing some attention. This article makes the claim that the game has 12 playable characters, all of whom are male. As producer in charge of this project, I would like to respond and clarify.
"While the main character of deepdown is indeed male, he is the only playable character in the game. The story focuses on him and a group of allies known as the Ravens.
"Although no announcement has been made regarding an overseas release of deepdown, we are happy that the title is drawing attention in regions other than Japan. We hope to release more information soon.”
Deep Down’s developers have made the decision to omit playable female characters from the game.
According to a report from the Nico Nico livestream event captured by DualShockers, only male characters will be playable, said Capcom Producer Kazunori Sugiura.
Sugiura noted that the lack of a female character ties into the title’s story, which we assume might be something along the lines of Assassin’s Creed given the fact that it takes place in both the near-future and a fantasy realm.
Here’s the exact wording from the report:
“Only male player character models will be available, for reasons apparently bound to the story.”
The omission of female playable characters suggests that someone, somewhere who was writing the story and designing the game decided to not include women as playable characters. It’s difficult to justify creating a multiplayer-only product without playable female characters any more, if it ever was justifiable.
For a game that's set to include dragons and all manner of mythical beasts, it's a wonder why women aren't a part of the experience.
