Unmasking the Gameplay: Community Insights On Smite’s Character Skins Problem

Imagine playing Smite, a game enjoyed by millions, but struggling to recognize your favorite deity due to a funky new skin. You’re not alone, as this seems to have become a common sentiment in the Smite community.

The one hope i have for Smite 2 is that they don't completely break god silhouettes with new skins. Every time I would come back to Smite after extended breaks, it would be so jaring trying to figure out who tf the god in front of you was. This is likely the only chance to fix that going forward.
byu/Foxnos inSmite

Summary

• Confusion surrounding Smite skins is hindering gameplay, especially for returning players.
• Skins are destroying the identity of gods and are disruptive for characters’ recognizability.
• The issue does not reside solely in the aesthetic changes, but also in the altered auditive cues accompanying the new skins.

Recognition Woes

In his post, Foxnos shares their frustration on how the radical alteration of gods through different skins disrupts the gameplay dynamic for many players. Their concerns are echoed by others like shadingnight who shares a humorous anecdote where he couldn’t tell Corey Taylor from ‘Aang’ due to the new skin overlays, just like looking for a needle in an avatar haystack, while for King_TN, it was his ‘return from a 2-year hiatus’ that had him completely lost, even with his 3k+ in-game hours – quite a welcome back party, huh?

Not So ‘Godly’ Anymore

The real fun begins when it seems the battleground of gods has turned into a bizarre mix of soda cans and Transformers, courtesy of Smite’s unbridled skin variations as King_TN puts it. It’s like inviting Zeus to a costume party; does he go as Optimus Prime or a Pepsi can? And let’s not forget the confused new players. You see Fenrir, you remember Fenrir, then WHAM! Fenrir now looks like a ‘Chompy Chibi’, and you’re left thinking, ‘Who let the dogs out, eh?’ as InitiativeMelodic782 humorously notes.

Sonic Disarray

Skins not only change the visual element but also play around with the auditive cues prevalent in a fast-paced game like Smite. True_FX underlines that with most skins ‘the cues are near silent … encouraging pay to win.’ It’s like going to a concert, expecting to hear the Beatles but hearing the Chipmunks instead. We feel your sour note, cydoz, who states ‘some abilities fx with certain skins feel borderline pay to win’.

Seems like where Smite goes from here in dealing with this skin predicament is a hot topic within the community. Adding an option to turn off skins could be a winner if listening to their players is the game developers’ game plan. Because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love good ol’ unmasked godly clashes?