Gwendolyn’s Face Looks Different Because Of Lighting, Says Tides of Annihilation Producer

Fans Notice A Different Face, Fu Kun Pushes Back

A new 40-minute gameplay demo of Tides of Annihilation drew plenty of praise for its combat and exploration, but the loudest reaction ended up being about something else entirely: protagonist Gwendolyn’s face looked noticeably different from earlier trailers.

Reactions ranged from confusion to frustration across social media, with fans urging Eclipse Glow Games to revert the change. “Why are they changing the character model? Seems stupid and a huge waste of money,” one player wrote on X. Another asked on YouTube, “Why does the newer one look so much worse? This isn’t a great sign?”

The studio addressed the backlash directly in a Q&A, translated by IGN. A reporter from Game Tea House asked lead producer Fu Kun whether the shift from CG to real-time rendering explained the different look. Fu Kun disputed that framing directly.

“Actually, the previous PV also used real-time rendering. The female lead’s face shape is consistent in the latest PV and the current demo,” he said.

“It’s just that we wanted it to be smoother in terms of lighting optimization, so there are some differences and imperfections in the facial rendering. Of course, this version may have been a bit rushed, and we will further optimize the facial rendering under lighting later.”

Rendering Is Still A Work In Progress

That last admission matters. Fu Kun isn’t just blaming the discourse on lighting in the abstract, he’s conceding the current build’s facial rendering is unfinished and came out rougher than intended, with more optimization still planned before launch.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind when comparing footage side by side: harsher lighting can emphasize cheekbones and eye sockets, while softer lighting smooths features out, and factors like skin shading, texture work, anti-aliasing, and camera distance can all shift how sharp or soft a face reads from one piece of footage to another, even without the underlying model changing at all.

Fu Kun also used the same Q&A to explain some of the broader design philosophy behind Gwendolyn and the cast around her. “For example, in terms of character design, we prioritized aesthetics that are acceptable to both Easterners and Westerners, and we made a comprehensive fusion of both,” he said, pointing to plans for a character called the Martial Saint, described as a representative of Eastern chivalry and traditional Chinese culture, who will reportedly be introduced as Gwendolyn’s master.

The timing hasn’t helped the discourse. The face debate follows Jennifer English’s departure from the role of Gwendolyn in July, when the Baldur’s Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actress stepped away citing her mental and physical health, while staying on as an advisor to help find her replacement.

Eclipse Glow Games has not linked the facial rendering changes to the recasting. However, many think the face model was updated to match the new actress, rumored to be Angela Sant’Albano (the voice of Grace from Resident Evil Requiem).

For now, Fu Kun’s explanation leaves the door open that Gwendolyn’s in-game appearance could shift again before launch, given the rendering work he’s already admitted is unfinished. Tides of Annihilation still doesn’t have a confirmed release date, only a promise that it’s launching “soon,” giving Eclipse Glow Games time to see whether further polish quiets the debate.