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Consider honouring a beloved video game. You’ll probably recall the protagonist, a particularly difficult villain, maybe perhaps NCPs, special monsters, or animals.
These are all game characters. The key to gaming character design success is to create memorable characters. From Mario to Kratos, there are tiny technicalities that distinguish the characters in addition to their backstory and personality.
To develop characters for video games, you must first understand the fundamentals of character types, classes, and features. The collaboration of game designers and authors is the cornerstone of unforgettable characters.
Technical innovation, intriguing storylines, and concept artists’ creative freedom all contribute to the creation of video game characters that we will remember forever.
Continue reading to learn about the fundamentals of character design, such as the types, classes, and qualities that a game art outsourcing studio must consider.
What is Character Design in Video Games?
Character design is an important aspect of video game development. It is a difficult procedure to create various characters from the ground up, from their physical appearance to their psychological features. It comprises the character’s conceptualization, style, and artwork. To create the visual representation, the artist analyzes the tale and the personality of the figure.
The design of video game characters varies greatly between 2D and 3D games. The difficulty of 3D character design is the most noticeable distinction. In comparison to 2D video game characters, 3D characters appear more fluid and lively, with better emotion and movement.
To create memorable games, a video game development company must prioritize character design. The artist must define the personality of the character while making it relatable to the players and complementing the fantasy world of the game as a whole. Character type, physical attributes, demeanor, and class all play a role in keeping the gamers interested. A well-designed character can elicit the appropriate emotions in the gamers at the appropriate time.
Remember the jump-scares elicited by the numerous Doom monsters? Even the most seasoned player would feel a chill when confronted by the “Cyberdemon.” Consider the character Paimon from Genshin Impact. You might not remember the names of the four characters, but Paimon’s chirpy demeanor and hilarious antics between quests ensure that we do.
Finally, game designers must have a solid understanding of the character kinds and classes in order to establish context when they are used. It also assists them in developing characters who enrich and complement the gameplay and storyline.
What Makes a Memorable Character?
A memorable character is the result of a mix of variables ranging from personality to looks. The character designer is in charge of picturing and shaping the initial character concept developed by the writers or creative director. A good character design would have the following elements:
- Character design should match the game’s style and tone for realism
- Mismatched characters and game environments can reduce immersion
- Outfit design contributes to realism, and should suit character class and game area
- Character’s posture and body language should align with their personality and role
- Characters should have a meaningful function in the plot or scenario
- Memorable character design includes a recognizable silhouette, as seen in iconic figures like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pikachu, and Popeye
Relation Between Character Design and Gameplay
The game is memorable because of the characters. Rather, the interaction between the gaming world and the characters makes the game more immersive and hence memorable. Everything from the narrative to the game mechanics and how well the character fits in influences the success of the character design as well as the gameplay.
Elements of Video Game Character Design
To appeal to gamers, the design must be logical, credible, and visually appealing. Certain crucial characteristics must be considered during game character design in order to achieve this:
Appearance
To make your game memorable, make a good first impression. As a result, the character should be visually appealing and credible in its surroundings. This is where shape language enters the picture.
- Circles and ovals convey friendliness and approachability, as seen in characters like Baloo and Pikachu.
- Square and rectangular shapes signify strength and formidability, as seen in characters like Batman, Superman, and Ryu.
- Triangular and pointed shapes are versatile, often representing chaos and danger (e.g., Maleficent) or sharp intellect (e.g., Kaeya from Genshin Impact).
Backstory
Any character in a video game is heavily influenced by the game’s storyline. The backstory influences the character’s posture, body language, wardrobe, voice, and choice of words.
When all of these elements are in tune with the storyline, the game character design will appear credible.
When an aggressive and domineering persona uses appropriate body language and posture, it becomes credible. It can be a commanding attitude, a straight back, or confident antics, for example. Similarly, body language and postures such as a bent back or twitchy and bashful conduct can readily portray a submissive attitude.
The backstory allows the players to understand their character’s characteristics, abilities, and flaws. It also makes the gameplay more realistic and simpler for gamers to engage emotionally.
Alignment
The character’s backstory and alignment are inextricably linked. The character’s moral inclinations are referred to as their alignment.
It will have an impact on its decision-making and behaviors, particularly in RPG games. This allows gamers to experiment with several characters while gaming. It also directs the gameplay and storyline, creating intricacies that both challenge and engage players.
The alignment of a character influences its interactions with other characters in the game as well as the storyline. In an RPG game, a character’s choices are also designed depending on their ethical alignment. As a result, depending on the character they choose, players can explore a wide range of scenarios.
Types and Classes of Characters in Video Games
There are a few distinct video game classes for various characters, particularly in RPG games. These characters have sub-genres as well. Here is a list of various characters you might encounter in a video game:
| Type of Characters in Video Games | Sub-Classes |
| Fighter / Soldier / Warrior | Paladins, Knights, Cavalier, Weapon Master |
| Assassin / Ninja | Ranger, Marksman, Blade-singer, Samurai, Martial Artist, Ronin |
| Mage / Wizard | Witch, Druid, Illusionist, Shaman, Battle Priest, Warlock |
| Archer / Hunter / Ranger | Scout, Duellist, Arcane Archer |
| Berserker | Stalker, Trickster, Trap-master, Bandit |
| Cleric / Priest / Enchanter | Alchemist, Binder, Conjurer, Dreamwalker, Animist, Acolyte |
| Necromancer / Shadowknight | Shadowmancer, Horizon-walker, Channeler |
| Summoner | Psion, Geomancer |
| Dancer / Bard | Strategist, Diplomat, Inquisitor |
| Dragoon / Lancer | Fencer, Dragonslayer |
| Blue Mage / Jack-of-all-Trades | Red Mage, Battle Mage |
Traits of Video Game Characters
In video games, each character class serves a different purpose and has unique skill sets. Gamers must be smart in their selection after carefully researching the characteristics of the characters in video games.
Warrior / Soldier / Fighter
In video games, they are typically the most robust and powerful characters. These individuals have a high level of aggression, stamina, and strength. Their HP is usually higher than other characters, and they have the strongest assets like as armor, weaponry, and fighting skills.
This character type is popular among gamers who prefer to play offensively. This game’s character design can be found in a variety of forms and subclasses.
Assassination / Ninja
These video game characters are recognized for their stealth and quickness. Unlike the warrior class, assassins and ninjas execute their missions through sneaky behaviors such as stealing and stalking. Their weapons are sleeker and more discrete.
Furthermore, they have abilities such as camouflage and can readily hide. Ninjas are popular as characters among gamers who appreciate a careful gameplay style. At the same time, they like the speed and adrenaline thrill that these character classes provide.
Wizard / Mage
Mages and Wizards are magical classes in video games that battle using spells and totems rather than physical force. They are the greatest option for fighting at a distance.
Their armor is the weakest, and they are often slower and more frail than fighters. They do, however, have regeneration abilities that the other character classes lack. This category includes any character with defensive or offensive magical abilities.
Archer, Hunter, and Ranger
These characters are well-suited to long-distance combat and mostly battle with bows and arrows. Depending on the game, they may also employ spears. Archers and hunters are equally useful in close combat. They are, however, often vulnerable to repeated strikes from all sides.
Berserker
Berserker’s video game character design is inspired by ancient Norse warriors known as “berserk.” They are immune to attack damage and unable to discern between friend and foe in battle.
Their raw power and ferocity in battle turned them into more of a weapon than a soldier. This is the inspiration for the video game character Berserker. Regardless of the damage in battle, these characters may inflict huge damage on the opponent in a short period of time and move rapidly.
Enchanter / Priest / Cleric
They are comparable to magicians and wizards, but they also have some warfare skills. They are more like a cross between warriors and magicians, combining the best of both worlds. These characters are most suited for multi-player RPG games, where they can plot and control big groups, guiding them in the proper direction.
Shadowknight / Necromancer
They are useful characters for dealing large amounts of damage in a short period of time. In the game, they weaponize diseases to cause massive damage to the opponent.
They can also summon the undead for various purposes that help them defeat their opponent in the game. They lack the ability to participate in direct combat, making them largely ineffective in single-player games.
Summoner
They can call monsters and even animals as a defense or attacking technique, as the name implies. There are various types of summoners, including animists. They lack fighting abilities but are strategic choices for inflicting massive damage on the opponent with their summoned creatures.
Dancer / Bard
In video games, dancers and bards are strategic characters. They typically play a defensive role, employing strategic instruments and equipment to weaken or disrupt the enemy’s efforts. These characters typically have musical abilities in exchange for fighting abilities. Their significance is entirely dependent on the sort of game and storyline.
Lancer / Dragoon
They are fighter subclasses with unique abilities to combat magical monsters, particularly dragons. They are capable of both attacking and protecting. These characters are strengthened to endure dragons, making them a clever and strategic choice in pertinent combat circumstances.
Blue Mage / Master of All Trades
These are adaptable characters who can learn from the enemy’s talents and strategize accordingly. They may modify their powers and talents based on their opponents’ abilities, allowing you to tailor your gaming strategy to deal the most harm.
Wrapping Up
To achieve the greatest outcomes, character design in video games combines technical skills with a highly artistic approach. When a game development studio has a clear vision of the gameplay and draws inspiration from general character classes in video games, they can design memorable characters.
Juego Studios can offer the greatest solution for creating dynamic game characters. Our services include everything from 2D and 3D modeling to game concept art and 3D character creation.
