Character Development

Graeme BrowningSean Wikant

Memorable characters that the player can care about◦ Can be complex (not hero or villain)

Not a simple challenge. Many factors effect good character design◦ Well drawn (suitable art style)◦ Well constructed (harmonious voice, body clothing etc. ◦ Distinctive ◦ Behave believably◦ Relatable

Good characters are one of the main reasons you remember a game◦ Driving force behind sequels, or paraphernalia

Goals Of Character Design

The avatar is the protagonist in the game Players relate to character in varying

degrees Freedom to control character creation

◦ Seen in Neverwinter Nights 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_hZEKmdcj0

◦ Avatar is a mask the player wears

Relationship between Player and Avatar

Specific Characters have a history◦ Spy Fox (talks to you)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uhh2QMzXt4 (29:50)

Non-Specific characters don’t have a back story. The designers don’t know anything about them either! Playing yourself◦ X3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUZyNPwP_Rg◦ Papers Please

Middle Ground◦ The Witcher: Play as a character based on a series of

books. (middle ground because he has amnesia)

Specific and Non-Specific Avatars

Indirect: ◦ Point and Click

Spy Fox◦ Player is a guide

Direct:◦ Steer Body

Skyrim◦ Player becomes character, inherits their abilities◦ Can feel like a puppet which stops the player from

worrying about the character’s emotions

Effects of Control Mechanisms

Historically game protagonists are more relatable to guys.◦ Also seen in other forms of media

More recent games have featured female protagonists. ◦ But can be very masculine still, which still doesn’t

appeal to women. They prefer more believable female characters

Women tend to prefer more avatar customization, where as men are fine with premade characters.

Male and Female Characters

Use the previous option to cater to your intended audience

Don’t make an unjustifiably unpleasant character

Designing an Avatar Character

Art Driven Character Design◦ Come up with an appearance first and then build

the character around it◦ Good for games where the personality is stagnant

or not important to the story◦ Good for making merchandise◦ Good for designing series mascots

Link, Mario

Visual Appearance

Character Physical Types◦ Humanoids

Arms, Legs, Head, decent proportions Animal faces are modified (ex: eyes at the front)

◦ Non Humanoids Monsters, Cars, etc. Can still have personalities (see any pixar movie) Goo Balls?

◦ Hybrids Mix of the above

Visual Appearance

Cartoon Qualities◦ The physical qualities of the character describes

their personality Cool, Tough, Cute, Goofy are common stereotypes Watch out!! Often the visual cues we associate with

the above stereotypes vary between cultures. This also depends on the target audience.

Visual Appearance

Hyper Sexualized Characters◦ Exaggerate sexual attributes

Lara Croft Samus Kratos Ivy

◦ Appeals to teenagers (and some adults)◦ Limits your audience because some people hate

this◦ Doesn’t distinguish your game characters

Visual Appearance

Clothing, Weapons, Symbolic Objects, Names◦ Can flesh out the characters

Back story Personality

◦ It’s good to make use of historical or cultural meaning Jewellery often relates to magic ability Most game genres have associated symbolism

◦ Can be used to identify the main character easily Keyblade Triforce

Visual Appearance

Colour Palette◦ Makes the character

distinctive, and easily recognizable

Visual Appearance

Visual Appearance Colour Palette

◦ Hints at personality

Sidekicks◦ Allows contrast

Personality

Additional abilities

◦ Can be there to provide information

Visual Appearance

Story Driven Character Design◦ Start with a character’s personality, role, and

behaviour

Character Depth

Role, Attitude, and Values◦ Good to have these well

defined for a character◦ Determines how the

character reacts in the game world

◦ When it’s better show rather than tell Appearance, Language,

Behaviour Exposition is boring! Can use the character’s

reaction to events

Character Depth

Attributes◦ Data describing the character with symbolic or

numeric values Property State of relationships

Character Depth

Attributes◦ Status attributes

Change frequently health, location

◦ Characterization attributes Core details of the personality

skill points

Character Depth

Character Dimensionality◦ Zero Dimensional

Discrete emotional states Enemies

◦ One Dimensional Spectrum for one feeling Moral decisions are somewhat harder

◦ Two Dimensional Multiple variables that don’t conflict

◦ Three Dimensional Multiple conflicting variables Any player created avatar

Character Depth

Character Growth◦ Compare

Saints Row (Action) Mass Effect 2 (Adventure)

◦ In games where you make an avatar, the onus for character growth is on the player

◦ Again SHOW DON’T TELL, use plot, and reaction to events

Character Depth

Character Archetypes◦ Pre-set moulds for character’s to fit into

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPALnjfUZ8U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMIMkoB7Wyo

◦ Can give the player an understanding of the character’s personality quickly

◦ Use as guidelines, not rules

Character Depth

Sound Effects and Music◦ Auditory feedback for character events

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvODpHnV9o4

◦ Psychological expectations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha1PSF5MstI

◦ Character themes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq_jS6o3OoY

◦ Give the player control over sounds Music can distract from important sound effects Cell phones are used in public Annoying music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RPV9FqugOc

Audio Design

Voice and Language◦ A character’s speech

conveys a lot about them◦ Consider:

Vocabulary Grammar Accent Delivery Vocal Quirks

◦ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FptizCE0wPI

◦ Voice audio files should be separate from sound effects and music

Audio Design

Whether characters are avatars created by the player or premade characters, they should fit in the world they are created for

Summary