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Character Development In Games

Posted by Zonk on from the more-than-just-a-pretty-face dept.

Gamasutra has a piece up examining techniques for character development in games. The article describes these techniques using the movie standards of dialogue and relationships. From the article: "Character development in and of itself isn't going to make your gameplay any better, but it will create a more satisfying experience because you're furnishing a more well-developed context, a more immersive world for the player to explore. You can't read a review of an adventure game or shooter without seeing some kind of reference to the storytelling, the dialogue, the characters. Can you relate to the characters? Are they well-developed? Are they interesting? It's become an expectation, an industry norm. Cliches and stereotypes are unacceptable."

1 of 26 comments (clear)

  1. From the Article: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    "Can you relate to the characters?"


    Why yes, yes I can. Just the other day I was hanging out with some friends at the local comic store and in walks a horde of space aliens from dimension XR78. Well, to say the least, the owners of the shop didn't like that very much so they took turns vaporizing the otherworldly creatures with volleys of magic missles and blaster fire.


    Soon after, Cell and Buu bust through the front window and demand all the chocolate and Magic: The Gathering cards from behind the counter. Now, I am personally quite fond of Magic cards and chocolate, so I launced a Kamehameha directly at the two interlopers and destroyed them utterly.


    You'd think the day would be over by then but no, the White Wolf stormtroopers had to rush in and start demanding money from the kids in the back who just chipped in money to order pizza and soda while playing Vampire. My friend Billy ignited his lightsaber and drew their fire until I could get close enough to use my force lightning on them, earning myself a dark side point in the process but our GM decided that since it was in the best interest of keeping the peace, that he would rescend the rule this one time.


    I suppose I could have forgone that stupid story and just made the statement: "What kind of fucking question is 'Can you relate to the characters?'"