I’m calling for an end to smooth-faced dystopias
PC Gamer columnist launches a critique of a persistent modding trend in which players download cosmetic modifications that strip character models of distinctive facial features. The author takes issue with the widespread practice of removing pores, freckles, scars, and wrinkles from in-game characters, arguing that these details are essential to character personality and visual storytelling.
The piece advocates for players and modders to embrace facial character details rather than chasing an idealized aesthetic. The columnist calls for downloading mods that add features like pronounced eye bags, additional scars, and forehead wrinkles—details that convey age, experience, and hardship, making characters feel more authentic and lived-in.
The commentary highlights a fundamental aesthetic tension in gaming: the preference among some players for smooth, porcelain-like character faces versus the artistic merit of realistic imperfections that communicate narrative and character depth. The author frames the prevalence of what they call “smooth-faced dystopias” as a missed creative opportunity, suggesting that the gaming community could benefit from prioritizing character-driven design that celebrates distinctive features over homogenization.