Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Deeper Dive
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Character arc/change
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Desire
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Likes
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Dislikes
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Values
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Key flaw(s)
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Vices
Visual
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Physical attributes
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Clothing
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Weapons/paraphernalia
For a sample Character Description Document, see
Appendix I
.
Concept Art
Concept artists almost universally have fantastic ideas for characters, as
well as environments and objects; but they cannot—or at least should
not—work in a vacuum. Everything they design tells a story: the story of a
people, of their past, their values, their priorities, their current challenges,
fears, and accomplishments. The narrative expert must supply this inform-
ation, or the concept artist is forced to create it herself. And if that hap-
pens, it's likely that the writer's vision and the concept artist's vision will be
inconsistent, and that someone's work may have to be revised. This is
neither efficient nor conducive to a positive working relationship or a har-
monious result.
Ideally, the writer will provide the aforementioned detailed Character
Description Document prior to a concept artist starting her work. Further,
the concept artist should be encouraged to ask follow-up questions, to
