2. Microsoft Game Studios
GALATEA 3.0 Designing and Writing the Great Game Characters of the Future
Tom Abernathy
Microsoft Game Studios

3. Goals Examine fundamental questions about creating characters
Good characters/story make good design better
Explore approaches to characterization from other media
Establish a vision for the interaction of writing and design in the future

4. Overview Characters Matter
The Relationship Between Character, Story, and Gameplay
Designing and Writing Player Characters
Actor Preparation
Designing and Writing Nonplayer Characters
The Future: Integrating Characterization and Game Design

5. Characters Matter Especially Player Characters
Experiential
 Fantasy/aspiration
 Environmental feedback
Commercial
 Intellectual property
 Marketing hook
Creative
 Story derived from character

9. Point being …
Character
Gameplay
Story

10. Player Characters Variables
First person or third person?
RPG? FPS? Platformer? Something else?
Avatar or distinct? Or split the difference?
Everyman/woman? Iconic hero? Anti-hero?
Male? Female?

11. Player Characters Choices  Questions
How does person/game type influence “avatar vs. distinct”?
How does “avatar vs. distinct” influence name choice?
Names impact not just character but tone of game.

12. Player Characters Taking It to the Next Level
More fully realized game experiences  More fully realized characters
Deeper, more detailed questions
Draw from other media, other creative techniques – like acting

13. WWAAA? (What Would an Actor Ask?)

14. Actor Preparation Objectives: What does he want?
Super-objectives – span entire story
Objectives within sequences
Objectives within scenes
How do these relate to each other?

15. Actor Preparation Tactics: How does she get it?
What tactics would this person use?
Especially vital in games!
 Player will be taking action as character
 Thus tactics = gameplay mechanics

16. Actor Preparation Needs: What is he compelled by?
When needs conflict with wants, the result  DRAMA
Needs help provide obstacles
Obstacles + tactics = gameplay
 Suddenly you’re a designer’s new best friend. 

17. Nonplayer Characters NPCs are people too!
Every major character should have an arc
 Arc = his/her own mini-plotline
 Arcs make characters more satisfying  seem more REAL
Especially true when choices are made in concert with designers and integrated into gameplay design

18. MOVING FORWARD: Writing and Design in Concert
Sean Devlinn, Saboteur
Jack, Bioshock
Character inspires mechanics and level design –
which in turn inform character arc.

19. The Future: Integration
Strong characterization inextricable from strong game design in narrative games
Writers and designers doing both well – and in concert
We need each other, and we need to work together

20. Discussion