I agree. If this were open-world, and we could choose the appearance and six of our character, that would make us relate more to the protagonist.

Yeah... except you should know it won't happen.

This seems to be that sort of game where they've created this great story and want you to go with it. They've probably taken the time to design this great character, everything about him, and they want you to be him, not him to be you.

They've also probably crafted this story in a plot-like sequence, as I would expect from a horror game, so they want you to go through this awesome gory story, not wander around doing as you wish.

Open worlds are overrated.

Oh right, Bethesda forums

I partially disagree. Open world by itself doesn't add or remove immersion. You don't need it to relate to the protagonist; in fact, meaningful story and interesting companions often make it easier to get emotionally attached to your character and his or her life - and open world games rarely get these aspects right. It really depends on the type of story the developers want to tell.

I think semi-open world would be a better option here. I agree on appearance and six though.

This always depends on the game, and I don't think that would help this game, at least from the kind of game I see it being.
For example you can't just throw a female skin to God of War, as though "she'd" just happen to behave exactly like Kratos.

I expect lots of cinematics (not that I want them), I expect the designers to want you to love the character they've designed for you. You shouldn't expect this kind of game to be anything like a game like Skyrim. This isn't about exploring the world (but there will be exploring around for items) and it's not about making a character for yourself.

I'm not saying games shouldn't give you choice of six or appearance, but it does depend on the game, to be honest. If this designer has spend a really long time creating this very specific character then let it be. Better than a rushed-out generic female that would probably get criticism as it is.

Edit: Let's take Amnesia as a horror example. It's an amazing game, and the whole story is tied to Daniel, a male.
This is what it's about, the character they design for you and it shouldn't matter whether your character is male or female because these games are not about making you feel like it's you.

This isn't aimed at Bethesda Game Studios fans any more than others as it is, it's for people who like this type of game and gamesas publishing it means nothing more
And c'mon, if the main character was female I wouldn't be complaining that we should get a male option

It matters because protagonists are almost always male. Even when the story doesn't require it, even when it would be a better story with a female protagonist. Fighting for female protagonists is a personal crusade of mine and unrelated to this thread, so I won't speak of it here again. I just signalize that I want choice whenever it's possible - and I refuse to believe that it's impossible by default.

I can't agree with your belief that some games aren't about making me feel like it's me. This is the point of all interactive media: to make me feel like I'm in control. If the devs wanted to tell me the story of Daniel-who-isn't-me, they would have made a movie. But they gave me control over Daniel's body and his actions - and thus they created a definite connection between him and me. I need to relate to him to some extent, otherwise I'll be a puppetmaster sitting outside the game, while the point is to draw me inside.

I played Amnesia and for the first time in my life I had a serious problem with relating to the main character. Not because of the story, it was good, but because of his heavy breathing. It's silly, I know. But I looked through his eyes, I felt his fear, it was extremely personal and I almost felt like I was right there - it was the closest to being inside his body that I've ever felt in a game with a predefined protagonist - but I didn't, because the sounds I - the character - made were sounds that I - the player - would never make. Not his voice - it was the narrative, the story, Daniel's brain, not his body. The body is what I had a problem with.

What's interesting, the only reason why it happened is because this type of game appeals to the most basic emotions (like fear) and triggers physical reactions in the player. If the bond between me and my character wasn't so physical, I wouldn't have had this problem. I don't have it in other games.

I still enjoyed the game (up until the point when I decided that I hate being frightened and quit), but the first experiences were more jarring that in any game I played before. It surprised me, that's why I remembered it.

I want options whenever possible. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, but there's no harm in discussing it.

Yes, the protagonist is mostly always male and there should be more games with female characters. Unfortunately that doesn't help argue about the option, when once again the designer may have spent a great deal of time designing the character who is a specific gender.
As for what interactive media is supposed to be, that's all over here and there. It will always depend no matter what, and you can't just say all of the games have to be this way or the other. The developers decide.

Thing about the option is:
Then we'd get people arguing they need skin tone options, hair options, clothes options, and before you know it there is no real point in designing a story around anyone, it's become a sandbox game.

The huge majority of games disagree with you. The huge majority of games are about taking on the role and life of the character they have designed; for example Arkham City. Games have always been a great way to tell stories, and are a better way to do so than movies.

Oh hey, a decent horror game that EA can't screw up? As long as it's scary and not just blood and guts, I'm in!

Yeaaa..... the video for Prison six can do that to ya.

I don't even care if this game is truly scary, since pretty much nothing scares me anymore. I'm in for the aesthetics and survival, because even though I have become highly resistant to fear, I love gory and morbid surroundings. Also, there's nothing better than a brutal survival game with actual death. That is really going to add to the sense of fear, having something to lose. I do hope Tango Gameworks do the settings and survival aspect right, because I'd love to see the game they promise done right. But this is Bethesda publishing, and I have faith in their judgement. I'll stay tuned to more news about this game, looking fiiiiiine!

But they should add blood and guts though... Lots and lots of blood and guts! I'm not saying it should be a gore-fest, but when you do encounter a monster I want it to be brutal. But monsters should be extremely dangerous and rare, adds to the fear-factor.