Session Name: | Characterization, Purpose and Action: Creating Strong Video Game Characters |
Speaker(s): | Jeremy Bernstein |
Company Name(s): | Freelance |
Track / Format: | Design |
Overview: | The recent success of games with a strong narrative focus, such as BioShock Infinite, The Last of Us and Telltale's The Walking Dead, point to a future where narrative is increasingly viewed as an asset in games, rather than an add-on. And great narratives are often defined by great characters. This talk will dissect memorable characters in existing video games, address the unique challenges in establishing characters in games, and provide a framework for creating strong game characters that covers styles ranging from Portal to Dragon Age. The session will discuss both linear and sandbox style characters, as well as taking a look at the oft' troublesome "blank slate" characters, who are (ostensibly, at least) defined by being undefined. |