Cyberpunk 2077 players have spoken, and their dream mod for the game would allow them to turn protagonist V into Handsome Squidward. For all its many, many problems, Cyberpunk 2077 is still largely the focus of the gaming world's attention, not least because of aforementioned problems, but also because of the depth and detail of the title. Its character creator had already achieved a certain notoriety even before the game's release for its ability to alter the size of their character's genitals and it's being lauded for its extreme attention to detail at launch, but the internet (as is often the case) is wanting more.
Fans of Spongebob Squarepants will remember Handsome Squidward from the 2007 episode, "The Two Faces of Squidward" when Spongebob somehow makes Squidward handsome by hitting him in the face with a door. Squidward's exquisitely sculpted visage, and the subsequent dramatic twirling fall he does later in the episode, quickly became the stuff of internet legend. Even 13 years after the episode originally aired, it remains an incredibly popular meme that's enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence in recent times.
Since character creators have become more commonplace in video games, especially RPGs like Cyberpunk 2077, players sometimes endeavor to create Handsome Squidward's face, to varying results. Although Cyberpunk 2077 does offer decent character creation options, it's still limited to realistic facial features and only provides preset options instead of free-form value tweaking. Redditor NOMADISATERRORIST posted a "screenshot" of Cyberpunk 2077's V transformed into Handsome Squidward's gorgeous visage, complete with sculpted cheekbones, full lips, and signature come-hither stare.
Unfortunately, as convincing as this meme looks at first glance, it isn't authentic, and it's doubtful the creator intended it to be taken seriously. Squidward's face was borrowed from 3D artist Miguel Vasquez, who created the 3D render of Handsome Squidward over two years ago, and edited into an actual screenshot of the game's character creation menu. Cyberpunk 2077's character creator, being rather limited, doesn't include green skin as an option, nor does any permutation of its face options look anything like Handsome Squidward. (It also doesn't have a "Squidward" option, but the word's still out on when CD Projekt Red will add one). While modding Squidward into the game is something that can absolutely become possible in the possibly near-future, the exact match between the meme and source material make it clear players haven't yet discovered it.
However, the massively positive response to Handsome Squidward's wishful infiltration into Night City points to players' desire for more freedom in deciding how their characters looks, even if it's ridiculous or outlandish. The least CDPR can do is put in an option for green skin, since skin color is probably a little more important than the size of their character's genitals.
Cyberpunk 2077 is available now for PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Google Stadia, and it will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2021.
Source: NOMADISATERRORIST, Miguel Vasquez