Character design is a significant aspect of video games that can have a profound impact on the overall gaming experience, particularly in story-driven games. It determines the player’s connection to the game and can be the most memorable aspect of the game long after it’s finished. While there are many elements that make up a game, character design is crucial to shaping the player’s experience.
In addition to the impact on the player’s experience, characters are also critical to the marketing of a game. They often feature prominently on the game’s cover, in trailers, and on social media platforms like YouTube. As such, designing characters that can immediately capture a player’s attention, even without any narrative context, is crucial. After all, potential customers are more likely to be exposed to the general design of characters than any other aspect of the game. Therefore, creating captivating and visually striking characters can be essential to attracting players and generating buzz for a game.
When it comes to character art in video games, there are various styles that game developers can choose from to best suit the game’s overall aesthetic. Some games opt for a realistic art style, such as The Last of Us, while others embrace a cartoony look, like the Borderlands series. For a darker tone, games like Prince of Persia: Warrior Within might choose a gritty style, while other games like the Dark Souls series create an ethereal atmosphere. Some games opt for a unique and stylish look, such as the Bioshock series, which sets itself apart from other games with its distinct and memorable character designs. Regardless of the chosen style, character art plays a crucial role in creating a game’s overall visual identity.
The way a character moves and interacts with the game’s world can also play a significant role in character design. Animation can greatly influence the player’s emotional response to the game, as evidenced by the evolution of Leon S. Kennedy in the Resident Evil franchise. In Resident Evil 2, Leon’s movement was subject to the game’s infamous “Tank Controls,” which made walking, aiming, and turning around slow and awkward. However, in Resident Evil 4, his movements were much more fluid, and he executed flashy fatalities and acrobatic jumps, making him a cool and reliable badass special agent. Even if both games had the same graphics, Leon would be a different character in each one of them just because of the way he moves. The way a character moves and interacts with their environment can help create a unique and memorable gaming experience that can affect players’ emotional attachment to the character.
With the advancement of 3D graphics technology, the production of 3D characters has become increasingly diverse, providing game developers with more opportunities to express and create different tones and styles. For instance, games like The Last of Us and Bioshock Infinite, both released in 2013, feature female side characters that players are supposed to like, as well as main characters voiced by Troy Baker, who acts as a father figure to these female characters. However, despite these similarities, the two games have vastly different visual styles that reflect their distinct narrative tones. The Last of Us features a realistic art style that enhances the game’s gritty and intense atmosphere, while Bioshock Infinite employs a more stylized art style that creates a fantastical and dreamlike setting. The development of 3D graphics has allowed game developers to create characters that not only reflect the narrative but also capture the game’s visual tone, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Despite sharing thematic similarities, the character designs of Ellie from The Last of Us and Elizabeth from Bioshock Infinite create different impressions and assumptions that perfectly match the tone and style of their respective games. Ellie’s appearance is designed to reflect the tragic and gritty world she inhabits, with scars, messy hair, and dirty clothes emphasizing her youth and vulnerability. In contrast, Elizabeth’s appearance is meant to reflect the idealistic and fantastical setting of Columbia, with her beauty, expressive face, and ornate dress indicating her privileged background and inspiring a sense of wonder in the player. This contrast in character design reflects the distinct visual styles and tones of the two games, creating a more immersive and emotionally resonant gaming experience for the player.
While their overall function in their respective games may seem similar, their individual designs convey vastly different emotions that perfectly match the tone of their worlds. Without their unique appearances, the impact on players’ immersion in the game would be catastrophic. The bond between player and sidekick is crucial, and these two leading ladies are prime examples of why character design matters in gaming.
For any character artist out there, the pressure can be overwhelming. The success of the game may rest on their shoulders, with every detail of their design having the potential to impact the player’s emotional connection to the game. That’s why it’s crucial for game directors to give clear and concise insight into the thematic and emotional purpose of the character they’re designing.
Simple directives like “make it cool” or “make it cute” won’t cut it. Only by fully understanding the role the character plays in the game’s story can a character artist create a design that resonates with players and truly elevates the overall experience.
In the end, character design is more than just an aspect of the game. It’s a crucial element that can deeply influence a player’s emotional journey through the game. And that’s something that every game developer should keep in mind as they strive to create truly unforgettable gaming experiences.
