2. Character Composition
Chapter 2
Character Composition

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Designing Characters (Continued)
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

17. Designing Characters (Continued)
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.