The dilemma of characterization

[JANK]

Trying to work on a non-linear RPG on RPGM1 (in which I was unsuccessfull) made me realize that there must be a fine balance between quality and quantity in character creation and keeping this balance is a difficult thing to do. If there are too many characters it will be hard to give them all important personalities but if there are too few then the player will get sick of them too quickly.

This problem is most present when trying to create a non-linear game because the more freedom you give the player, the less personality you will be able to give the characters. It also makes for a lot of extra work if you want to try to create different scenarios for each possible character combination in each situation. This is the one downside to making a non-linear game. On the other hand if you create a completely linear game then scenarios involving characterization are much easier to handle and much less work is involved however the player will feel constrained by having no freedom.

[Lord_Mofop]

Re: The dilemma of characterization

Good point, i've always have had that problem but never could quite put my finger on it. (that's one for the soundboards)

People realy enjoys stories for different reasons, but the most common reason is to bring them out of plain ol' boring reality, into a beautiful fantasy land where action happens everyday. Solid characters really bring the player too there world, where as non-linear games, people will play for the gameplay.

It really depends on what mass you are trying to put your game out for.

[Biggie]

Re: The dilemma of characterization

FFVII is a perfect example in where the characters backstories would be told in sidequests, kind of like Vincent and Lucia.

[Gulshog]

Re: The dilemma of characterization

I love a good story. As you say, it brings you out of reality (especially these days with the devastation in New Orleans, so depressing), and into a fantasy world you can explore to you're hearts content.

Striking a balance between a linear story that enthralls, and a non-linear one that allows freedom is a hard thing to do.

[marcus]

Re: The dilemma of characterization

In all honesty, I don't turn to videogames for gripping stories; rather, I play videogames for their immersive atmospheres. If you can make me feel apart of your world, I think you did a good job. I kind of follow Tim Schaffer's belief that videogames were designed to explore the inner psyche of the characters at hand rather than the plot points that happen around them.

Baldur's Gate did a stellar job at remaining open ended while still allowing good characterization. During your adventure at random intervals, the characters would strike up conversations or bicker with one another. It didn't add anything to the story, but you actually began to grow on the characters in your party. Even in dungeon hacking games like Wizardry 8, the characters would joke amongst each other or comment on things like the weather or the effectiveness of guns and that made me cherish them and be more willing to protect them in battle (they were so cool I DIDN"T WANT to replace them).

[Gulshog]

Re: The dilemma of characterization

You bring up a good point about characterization, marcus. Baldur's Gate did indeed do a great job of this. Everyone remembers the miniature, giant space hamster BOO!

But, I disagree with you about the story. For me, it is key. If I don't care about what these guys are supposed to be doing, and where they are going, I don't care what they have to say. But, I will say that neat characters might make me stay a little longer. In the end, though, it has to be an interesting story to keep me the whole time.

Good points, though, and idle banter and bickering amongst party members is a good way to get the player into the game world, and make him love the characters he is playing.