The ever-changing face of Female Shepard has, erm, changed again...

For those of you regular to Shadowlocked, you may remember my recent promise to keep you all informed - whether good or bad - on all the latest news concerning the forthcoming extension of Bioware's Mass Effect franchise...Mass Effect 3;and what a week it's been!

Last week, Bioware announced on their official Mass Effect 2 page that they would be running a fan-based competition to help decide just how a female Commander Shepard should look. After loading a photo album with six possible choices, gamers and Mass Effect enthusiasts alike were asked to examine said choices, before liking their favourite - thus deciding which of the six would be made universally available in the collectors edition of the upcoming release.

Now, while I can't speak for all of us here at Shadowlocked - and I'd also appreciate the input of our ME guru, Chris Morgan - personally, I feel that all six would be a terrible inclusion. Shepard's one, two and three - as they are labelled - all look like overly aggressive lesbians (Ed note: I have the utmost respect for the homosexual community, and this is in no way a personal attack) whereas the remaining three just don't give off the 'Commander' aura; perhaps a rogue agent or slightly unnerving Lieutenant at a push, but not a Commander. Yet, since the album went live last Sunday, 24th July, the battle has been fierce, swinging regularly in the early stages, and at the present time of writing, it is "Blonde Female Shepard" who has taken a commanding lead (see what I did there?) Our blonde companion currently holds 27,056 likes, an impressive 43% of the total 'likes' to date and  a full 16,097 more than her nearest competitor, Shepard 4 (who has since earned the name of Rihanna Shepard, due to her striking resemblance to the cultural pop icon).

Ultimately, the question I would like answered is who - and how - did these suggestions come about? After reading many of the fan comments, it would appear that a large section of the ME community are unhappy with the choices presented before them, with many suggesting that Bioware should have spent more time researching their options and conferring with fans before settling on their current six.

So, after perusing a large number of fan-based alternatives, I have settled on the works of Brazilian Rafael Grassetti for my Fem Shep adoration. Grassetti, a character artist who makes a living doing everything from 3D art to texturing to traditional sculpture - such as this one - has a clear passion (bordering on the obsessive) with the franchise, and his work is nothing short of breathtaking. As these photos show (see below), Grassetti has a formidable understanding of both the game and its inner concepts - what makes it great; what draws people in; why we love and aspire to each character - and it is this understanding that makes these so impressive. For me, this is Fem Shep if ever I saw her...not those Bioware imposters:

So, what do you all think? Dangerous, sexy, mysterious - if you ask me, Mr. Grassetti has done it again...

To see more of Rafael Grassetti's work, why not visit his website, Grassetti art.

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