Character Design Advice (Patreon)

An instructor teaching a course centered around video game design asked me for advice to give to their students about creating characters. I figured that the answers I gave might be interesting to my patrons here as well:

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Video games differentiate themselves a lot from other mediums because in most cases the player has some kind of direct control of character action and the pacing of events. That can create a really strong bond between player and character without the need for the kind of explanation or exposition we see in TV, movies, prose, or comics.

Keep that in mind because there are a LOT of games that create wonderful and memorable characters even when they don't conform to some of the advice I'm about to give. Great game play can leapfrog a lot of other traits. The main character from Journey or Dark Souls can leave a really strong impression on players even though we know next to nothing about them and they never speak.

What are the three most important aspects of creating a character?

1) Appearance matches intent: Our job is communication, so making sure a character's appearance communicates something about their purpose in a game is important, ideally in a way that isn't just an overly played out (or possibly offensive) stereotype.

That said, you can turn this on its head to purposefully create dissonance and comedy as well so even this rule can be messed with - A cute character that's murderous, a suave-looking character who's inept beneath their perfect-seeming surface, a pacifist brawler, etc.  

2) Focus: Your character won't appeal to everyone. Make peace with that and commit to something that makes a statement about the game, the world, and the story you're trying to create rather than building something bland. 

3) Goals: Give your character purpose. We like people who want things and through game play (and sometimes cinematics) we'll see if they get it or not.

• What are the core traits that define your character?
• How do we communicate those core traits?
• What do they want in this story?
• What's keeping them from getting what they want?
• Will those traits or goals change as the game continues? Why or why not?

How do you make a character appealing, lovable or relatable?

This is an age-old question. If I had the perfect answer for this I would be much richer than I am right now. One person's appealing, lovable and relatable character can have no effect on someone else.

But, if you're building a character story and not just an avatar for broad game play, giving your character flaws is just as important as giving them aspirational qualities. We can see ourselves in other people's weaknesses and mistakes. We empathize with their problems and struggles. A perfect paragon of a character is not as appealing or empowering as people might think.

What is the most common mistake people make when creating a character? What is not needed, if any?

Complexity for complexity's sake. A lot of people think a crazy-detailed back story shows effort and therefore maximum effort = the best possible character.

Clarity can leave a stronger lasting impression on your audience than pages and pages of obtuse material no one is ever going to remember.

Any advice when creating multiple characters?

What’s the best way to differentiate one character from the other?

I have the same piece of advice for both these questions: Contrast.

Contrasting sizes, shapes, colors, silhouettes, personalities, expressions, and goals. Give your group variety and it becomes much easier for them to stand out from each other. The more cookie cutter your characters are, the less interesting they tend to be.