Sunday, September 26, 2010

Character Development Revisited

How does the environment in the games affect the character? Well it has a huge impact on the characters in the game.  It can determine their physical appearance, weapons, thoughts, dialog and interactions.  I picked God of War and moved the game from ancient Greece to the Vietnam war era.  If we look at Kratos he would physically appear out of place.  His clothing would not be of the correct period, his weapons would be useless in jungle combat.  His enemies would pick him off hidden in the bush.  Yes he has some magic powers but those too would not be “real” for Vietnam.  Flamethrowers yes – Medusa’s head – no way!  The character of Kratos would need to be totally revamped with maybe once exceptions, his drive and determination.  This key part of his being would not be limited to one era. Everything else from clothing, weapons, dialog would need to be changed to fit the time period.  If not you run the risk of having the protagonist feeling detached from the game world. 

Also characters in the game would be laughable as well.  Greek Gods on the Ho Chi Minh Trail?  I don't think so...  Skeletons, Titans and other monsters roaming around outside of a forward artillery fire-base?  That would seem something out of a cheesy science fiction movie.

The grit and rawness of the Vietnam war does no fit the mystical enemies or the overall mood of God of War.  Characters that are closely tied to their environment do not transition to a different on easily.

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