Game Development Essentials An Introduction
Key Chapter Questions■ How are game characters different from characters in
other media?
■ What are avatars and how do they relate to player identity?
■ How does visual character development differ from other forms of character development in games?
■ What are some character types and archetypes, and how do they relate to story structure?
■ What are several purposes of dialogue in games?
Game Characters
Player character (avatar)(Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft)
Non-player character [NPC](Black & White: Creature Isle)
Antagonist
Wario – Mario’s antagonist
Types of antagonists:
• Transformational• Mistaken• Exaggerated• Realistic
Verbal Character DevelopmentDialogue
• Reveals character• Reveals emotion• Advances the plot• Reveals conflict• Establishes relationships• Comments on action
Character Description
• Name• Type• Gender/age• Physical appearance• Background & history• Personality characteristics• Vocal characteristics• Relevance to story synopsis
Summary• Game characters• Character types• Protagonist• Antagonist• Co-Protagonists• Supporting characters• Character archetypes• Character triangle• Character arc• Point-of-View (POV)• Visual character development• Verbal character development• Character movement• Background, history & advancement• Character description