Character Composition Chapter 2 Character Composition

Objectives Provide and overview of character design for video games. Analyze what it takes to develop dominant characters and make them stand apart from other characters in similar games. Explore the role and function of a character and the ways in which these are determined by the purpose of the character in the game. Detail the important aspects of designing characters. Outline the character-design process.

Overview of Character Design Character design encompasses every specialty in the design process Stories are about characters and what they do The central premise describes how a character will act and what motivates the character Creating a fictional entity that has endearing qualities takes creativity and skill

Overview of Character Design (Continued) Characters can be placed in different situations and scenarios The thinking and emotional responses of a character must be mapped This shapes how the story will progress Game designers must decide what gameplay will allow the player to best understand the character

Developing Character The most identifiable features of a great game are gameplay and character Characters often become as memorable as the game itself A game character is a motivated participant in the game The participant’s character is its makeup of talents, skills, abilities, and physical attributes

Developing Character (Continued) A character may be a protagonist or an antagonist Objects in the game may be hazards A character can be controlled by the player or by the game Perks are attributes that are unlocked as the game progresses Upgrades are choices the player makes to obtain better equipment, abilities, and so on

Developing Character (Continued) The game may have player-select avatars, game-select avatars, or player-designed avatars A non-player character (NPC) is controlled by the game instead of by the player A character controlled by another human player is an other player character (OPC) The NPCs and OPCs may be cooperative, competitive, or neutral

Driving Characters Understanding the role and function of characters is very important for design A gameplay-attributed character only needs the physical features required to complete the game objectives A story-based character conveys some portion of the game story The main character is the one around which the entire game revolves

Driving Characters (Continued) Throughout the game story, the main character faces choices or a conflict between core values The character changes through situational enlightenment or self-enlightenment There are four main intangible features of a character Motivation Purpose Methodology System of Evaluation

Driving Characters (Continued) Motivation is the cause for a character to begin an action Purpose is the character’s reason for existing or primary duty Methodology is the general rules or principles for how a character does things A system of evaluation is used to judge the motivation, purpose, and methodology

Intangible Features of a Character Motivation Purpose Methodology System of Evaluation Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Designing Characters To build character depth, a character profile or background is created There are three ways in which game designers display character attributes Appearance and aesthetics Thoughts and conversations Actions

Designing Characters (Continued) Aesthetics is how pleasing to the eye the appearance is Thoughts are the character’s internal dialog Conversations are external dialog the character has with others in the game Actions are what the character does In addition to developing a character, game designers use semiotics

Designing Characters (Continued) Physiology is the physical shape, characteristics, and traits of a character An archetype is a universal character that is easily identifiable by any culture In video games, the standard archetypes are Hero Shadow Mentor Helper Guardian Trickster Herald

Designing Characters (Continued) Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Designing Characters (Continued) Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Character Design Process A series of steps is used to create a final character Create concept art Create model sheets Create movement sketches Create expression sketches Create sketches for weapons and accessories Create mockups Create renderings

Character Design Process (Continued) Concept art is the first iteration of the visual appearance of a character or other element Model sheets show sketches of different poses and viewing angles A movement sketch is a few frames of animation to show movements Expression sketches show a set of body positions and facial expressions for emotions

Character Design Process (Continued) Art for weapons and accessories is also important A mockup is a physical representation of the character or game element (used along with sketches to create final renderings) When all sketches are approved, the art team begins to render the character images This step is detailed and time consuming

Do you think it would be more difficult to design a character who is a protagonist or one who is an antagonist? Why? Do you think game designers can display character attributes more effectively though appearance and aesthetics, thoughts and conversations, or actions? Give examples to explain your choice.