10 Fan Backlashes That SAVED Video Games
6. Cole's Redesign - Infamous 2
When Infamous 2 gameplay was first unveiled at E3 2010, many fans were taken aback by the changes made to protagonist Cole MacGrath's character model.
Not only was Cole's face totally remodelled to look like a different person, but he had a considerably thicker head of hair, "hipper" set of clothing, and even his voice actor had been changed, all of which rubbed fans totally the wrong way.
The outcry from fans was swift and strong, enough that while developer Sucker Punch kept new voice actor Eric Ladin, they backpedalled on many of the other design changes.
Namely, Cole's original face and short-haired look were returned, albeit while retaining some of the new Cole's attire, effectively delivering a comprise between the two designs that most fans found acceptable.
Granted, neither Cole design is exactly spectacular, but when the fanbase has gotten attached to a character's look, why on Earth would you change it? It felt like a cynical executive decision rather than something that benefitted the game or its fans, and so they were right to walk most of it back.