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Topics

Character

Story

Plot Cutting for focus

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Character

If we are to create games that have great

stories in them, these stories must containmemorable characters.

It is an important question to ask: How arecharacters in games different thancharacters in other media?

If we examine fictional characters in variousmedia side by side, some differencesbecome apparent.

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Character??

InNovels? Films?

Videogames?

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Pattern

Mental Physical

Reality Fantasy

Complex Simple

From this, one might conclude that games

are doomed to have simple fantasycharacters engaging mostly in physical

actions. And that certainly is the easy path.

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Avatars

There is something magical about the

character that a player controls in a game.

So magical that we give that character a

special name: the avatar.

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Avatar

The word is derived from a Sanskrit word

that refers to a god magically taking physical

form on the earth.

And the name is well chosen for a game

character, since a similarly magical

transformation takes place when a player

uses their avatar to enter the world of thegame.

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Avatar

Type of character of choice

the kind that the player has always wanted to

be

iconic

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Creating Compelling Game

Characters

The avatar is important in a game, just as

the protagonist is important in a traditionalstory.

But we must not forget the othercharacters.

There are dozens of books on scriptwriting

and storytelling that can give you goodadvice on how to make strong, compellingcharacters.

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Methods that most useful for

developing characters in games.

List Character Functions

Define and Use Character Traits

Use the Interpersonal Circumplex

Make a Character Web

Use Status

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Methods that most useful for

developing characters in games.

Use the Power of the

Voice

Use the Power of the

Face

Powerful Stories

Transform Characters

Avoid the Uncanny Valley

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Story

There is still much debate about the

relationship between story and gameplay.

Some people are so story-oriented that they

believe that adding gameplay is guaranteed toruin a good story.

Others feel the opposite that a game with

strong story elements has been cheapened

somehow.

Still others prefer a middle-of-the road

approach.

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Story

Bob Bates - a designer told that:

Story and gameplay are like oil and vinegar.

Theoretically they dont mix, but if you putthem in a bottle and shake them up real

good, theyre pretty good on a salad.

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Story

Ultimately, of course, we dont care about

creating either stories or games we care

about creating experiences. Stories and

games can each be thought of as machines

that help create experiences.

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Story Tips for Game Designers

Goals, Obstacles, and Conflicts

Provide Simplicity and Transcendence

Consider the Heros Journey

Put Your Story to Work!

Keep Your Story World Consistent

Make your Story World Accessible

Use Clichs Judiciously

Sometimes a Map Brings a Story to Life