7 Video Game Characters That Completely Changed After Fan Backlash

1. Deacon Saint John - Days Gone

Their first major console release in a while, Sony Bend's Days Gone wasn't easy to put together, and went through a number of high-profile delays that ultimately gave the studio the time it needed to respond to the worries players had before launch.

First and foremost was lead character Deacon St John who, prior to release, looked as bland as unbuttered toast. The industry isn't starving for gruff, white anti-heroes with a heart of gold (hell, Sony alone isn't starving for gruff, white anti-heroes with a heart of gold), and the only thing that seemed to set Deacon apart was his bordering-on-fetishistic love of his motorcycle.

It wasn't just critics of a few trailers left unimpressed either, but apparently the people actually playtesting the game. The general response Sony Bend received was that Deacon was too much of a d**k, and players didn't enjoy spending 10 hours with him before his humanity started shining back through.

As a result, his character was softened and given more justification for why he was so disconnected with humanity.

That's probably for the best as well, as Deacon's arc was a major highlight of the eventual release. Apart from the constant, mad mutterings to himself anyway. I still don't know what they were about.