Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Role, Attitudes, and Values
Every character in a story plays a role, just as every character in a movie plays a role
even if only as an extra. The moment a character appears for any reason, the audi-
ence needs to know something about him. For minor characters, appearance and
voice may convey all the information the audience needs—we don't need a detailed
biography of the coffee-shop waitress who only appears for 30 seconds.
Major characters need richer personalities, however, and to design them you will
have to envision the character in your head and then answer a large number of
questions about them. In his 2001 article “Building Character: An Analysis of
Character Creation,” designer Steve Meretzky recommends that you create a char-
acter background paper, or
backgrounder
, for each one. You don't necessarily have
to write it in narrative form; lists of qualities will do. The main thing is to get the
information down on paper so that it's documented somewhere. Meretzky suggests
that you consider the following:
Where was the character born?
What were the traumatic moments
in his life?
What was his or her family life like
as a kid?
What were his biggest triumphs?
What was his education?
Describe his important past romances.
Where does he live now?
Describe his current romantic
involvement or involvements.
Describe his job.
How does he treat friends? Lovers?
Bosses? Servants?
Describe his finances.
Describe his taste in clothes, books, mov-
ies, etc.
Describe his political beliefs, past
and present.
What are his favorite foods?
Describe his religious beliefs, past
and present.
What are his favorite activities?
What are his interesting or important
possessions?
What are his hobbies?
Describe any particular personality traits
and how they manifest.
Does he have any pets?
Does he have unusual talents?
Is he shy or outgoing?
Greedy or giving?
What's the best thing that could
happen to him?
Does he have quirks?
The worst thing?
Does he have superstitions?
Does he drink tea or coffee?
Does he have phobias?
Obviously, this list is intended primarily for documenting ordinary humans, not
sentient robo-camels or creatures of the underworld; if you set your game in the
