Tides of Annihilation producer explains Gwendolyn's new look

Eclipse Glow Games has responded to players who noticed that Gwendolyn, the lead character of Tides of Annihilation, looks different in the studio's latest gameplay footage than she did in earlier trailers.

The debate followed a mid-August showing of roughly 40 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay, the most detailed look at the game so far. IGN reports that impressions of the combat, exploration and art direction were strongly positive, but that the character's facial design drew confusion and frustration, with commenters on X and YouTube describing the new model as softer and asking the studio to revert the change.

Asked at a Q&A by a reporter from Game Tea House whether the difference came from a move away from pre-rendered CG to real-time rendering, lead game producer Fu Kun said that was not the cause.

Fu added that the build shown "may have been a bit rushed" and that the team will continue to optimise facial rendering under lighting.

A month of changes

The footage is the second point of scrutiny for the character in as many months. In mid-July, voice actress Jennifer English announced that she was stepping away from the role of Gwendolyn, citing concerns about her mental and physical health. IGN notes continued speculation about who has replaced her, on English's own recommendation, though the studio has not confirmed a name.

In the same Q&A, Fu described the studio's approach to character design as a deliberate blend of Eastern and Western influences, saying the team prioritised an aesthetic acceptable to players in both markets while drawing on elements it is proud to present from Chinese culture. He gave the example of the Martial Saint, a figure he described as a representative of Eastern chivalry, who will appear as Gwendolyn's master.

Tides of Annihilation still has no release date. Eclipse Glow Games has said only that it will arrive "soon".