Topics

Character Story Plot Cutting for focus

Character
If we are to create games that have great stories in them, these stories must contain memorable characters. It is an important question to ask: How are characters in games different than characters in other media? If we examine fictional characters in various media side by side, some differences become apparent.

Character?? In Novels? Films? Videogames?

Pattern
Mental Physical Reality Fantasy Complex Simple From this, one might conclude that games are doomed to have simple fantasy characters engaging mostly in physical actions. And that certainly is the easy path.

Avatars
There is something magical about the character that a player controls in a game. So magical that we give that character a special name: the avatar.

Avatar
The word is derived from a Sanskrit word that refers to a god magically taking physical form on the earth. And the name is well chosen for a game character, since a similarly magical transformation takes place when a player uses their avatar to enter the world of the game.

Avatar
Type of character of choice
the kind that the player has always wanted to be iconic

Creating Compelling Game Characters

The avatar is important in a game, just as the protagonist is important in a traditional story. But we must not forget the other characters. There are dozens of books on scriptwriting and storytelling that can give you good advice on how to make strong, compelling characters.

Methods that most useful for developing characters in games.

List Character Functions

Define and Use Character Traits

Use the Interpersonal Circumplex

Make a Character Web

Use Status

Methods that most useful for developing characters in games.

Use the Power of the Voice Use the Power of the Face

Powerful Stories Transform Characters

Avoid the Uncanny Valley

Story
There is still much debate about the relationship between story and gameplay. Some people are so story-oriented that they believe that adding gameplay is guaranteed to ruin a good story. Others feel the opposite that a game with strong story elements has been cheapened somehow. Still others prefer a middle-of-the road approach.

Story
Bob Bates - a designer told that: Story and gameplay are like oil and vinegar. Theoretically they dont mix, but if you put them in a bottle and shake them up real good, theyre pretty good on a salad.

Story
Ultimately, of course, we dont care about creating either stories or games we care about creating experiences. Stories and games can each be thought of as machines that help create experiences.

Story Tips for Game Designers

Goals, Obstacles, and Conflicts Provide Simplicity and Transcendence Consider the Heros Journey Put Your Story to Work! Keep Your Story World Consistent Make your Story World Accessible Use Clichs Judiciously Sometimes a Map Brings a Story to Life