Game Development Essentials An Introduction

Chapter 5Character

creating the identity

Key Chapter Questions■ How are game characters different from characters in

other media?

■ What are avatars and how do they relate to player identity?

■ How does visual character development differ from other forms of character development in games?

■ What are some character types and archetypes, and how do they relate to story structure?

■ What are several purposes of dialogue in games?

Game Characters

Player character (avatar)(Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft)

Non-player character [NPC](Black & White: Creature Isle)

Character Types

• Animal• Fantasy• Mythic• Historical• Licensed

Protagonist

Sherlock Holmes(The Mystery of the Mummy)

Kate Walker(Syberia)

Antagonist

Wario – Mario’s antagonist

Types of antagonists:

• Transformational• Mistaken• Exaggerated• Realistic

Co-Protagonists

Mario & Luigi Jak & Daxter

Supporting Characters

Allies Henchmen

Character Archetypes

• Hero• Shadow• Mentor• Allies• Guardian• Trickster• Herald

Character Triangle

Character Arc

Point of View (POV)

Far Cry Tomb Raider

Visual Character DevelopmentTechniques

Verbal Character DevelopmentDialogue

• Reveals character• Reveals emotion• Advances the plot• Reveals conflict• Establishes relationships• Comments on action

Character Movement• Signature• Idle• Walking cycle

Mario’s walking cycle reflects his personality

Background, History & Advancement

Class & race(Icewind Dale II)

Skill(Neverwinter Nights)

Character Description

• Name• Type• Gender/age• Physical appearance• Background & history• Personality characteristics• Vocal characteristics• Relevance to story synopsis

Summary• Game characters• Character types• Protagonist• Antagonist• Co-Protagonists• Supporting characters• Character archetypes• Character triangle• Character arc• Point-of-View (POV)• Visual character development• Verbal character development• Character movement• Background, history & advancement• Character description