A Complete Guide to Video Game Character Design: Do's & Don'ts

The reasons behind the importance of creating fun, engaging, and memorable video game characters are mainly psychological. Game character design decides whether and how characters create strong connections with players and keep them engaged. Well-designed characters can evoke empathy, motivate players, and contribute significantly to storytelling.

Here is how memorable character design for games impacts players:

Psychological identification: Players connect deeply with characters they can identify with. This personal connection keeps them engaged with the game for a long time.

Projection: Players imagine their own feelings and experiences as if they were those of the game character. This creates a deeper emotional connection and makes the game more engaging and meaningful.
Compensation: Players may see game characters as aspirational figures, compensating for qualities they desire in themselves. This drives a stronger emotional attachment.
Empathy: Characters that evoke strong emotional responses, such as sympathy or admiration, become more memorable to players.
Sense of agency: Giving players control over character development and story arcs makes them feel more involved and responsible for the character’s fate.
Archetypes: Utilizing well-known character archetypes (like the hero or mentor) helps players quickly relate to and understand the character, making them more impactful and memorable.

Game character design is a fundamental step in game art creation that involves creating and developing characters throughout the game.

Scope of game character design

It is crucial to note that it’s not just the visual appearance but also the character’s personality, backstory, and role within the game’s narrative that shapes its success. You must hire character designers who will always incorporate the key elements of video game character design:

1. Visual aesthetics: The character’s appearance, clothing, colors, and physical traits.
2. Personality traits: Defining a character’s behavior, motivations, and emotional range.
3. Backstory: Crafting a history that informs the character’s actions and relationships within the game world.
4. Functionality: Ensuring the character’s design aligns with gameplay mechanics and enhances player interaction.

Difference between 2D and 3D character design

You can broadly categorize character design into two dimensions: 2D and 3D.

2D video game character design involves creating characters in two dimensions, often using illustrations or sprites. This style is prevalent in platformers, mobile games, and indie titles. Additionally, they use simple animation techniques, such as frame-by-frame drawing or skeletal animation. The artistic style of 2D characters is more stylized. Overall, the focus is on creating expressive characters with limited resources.

On the other hand, 3D game character design focuses on depth and realism. Characters are modeled in three dimensions, allowing for more realistic representations. This approach is dominant in AAA games and immersive experiences. Moreover, 3D characters use advanced rigging techniques, enabling fluid movements and intricate expressions that enhance realism. The design also considers how characters interact with their surroundings in a three-dimensional space, adding layers of complexity to design and gameplay.

When choosing a game art outsourcing studio for character design, it is better to make sure they offer 2D or 3D design expertise based on your game’s requirements.

The role of character design in gameplay

Game character design bridges the two crucial aspects of a game – gameplay mechanics and narrative depth.

Characters often embody specific abilities or traits that directly influence gameplay mechanics. For example, a nimble character may excel in platforming sections, while a strong character might be better suited for combat scenarios. Thoughtful design ensures that you represent these attributes visually, making it easier for players to understand their roles at a glance.

Also, a well-developed character can evoke emotions, drive plot progression, and create memorable moments within the game. Players form connections with characters based on their designs – relatable features or compelling backstories can foster empathy and investment in the narrative.

Here are the seven steps you must follow to create a game character that is relatable, fun, and engaging.

Step 1: Start with an archetype

Starting with an archetype is essential in game character design because archetypes are universal, recognizable character types, such as heroes, mentors, or villains. They provide a strong foundation and help players quickly understand and connect with the character. Using familiar archetypes ensures that characters are relatable and engaging from the outset.

This step simplifies the design process and creates a solid base for further character development, allowing designers to build unique and memorable characters that resonate with players.

How to choose the perfect archetype

To build an archetype, identify the core traits and motivations that define the character type. For example, a hero archetype might be brave, selfless, and driven by a quest. Here are some popular archetypes for specific character types that gamers identify with (from left to right):

1. Hero: Link (The Legend of Zelda)
2. Sage: Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)
3. Villain: Ganon (The Legend of Zelda)
4. Outlaw: Robin Hood
5. Explorer: Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)

Step 2: Build a strong backstory

Once you have an archetype, the next step in game character design is to build a strong backstory for your characters, aligning with the archetype. For instance, if you choose the Hero archetype, consider their journey, challenges faced, and what drives them to act heroically. This backstory provides depth and context, explaining their motivations, fears, desires, and decisions.

Things to consider when creating a backstory

1. History: Define the character’s past, including significant events.
2. Motivations: Identify what drives the character and their goals.
3. Relationships: Consider connections with other characters.
4. Challenges: Outline personal struggles or conflicts they have faced.
5. Growth: Show how their past has shaped their current personality.
   Keep in mind consistency, relevance to the game’s plot, and emotional depth is crucial in game character design.

Step 3: Decide attributes based on the archetype

This step is where your character truly comes to life. Unique attributes are the personality quirks, physical characteristics, or special abilities that set your character apart. Some attributes you must choose include your gaming character’s facial features, physical appearance, weaponry, strengths, and weaknesses. For example, a Lover archetype might prioritize relationships and emotional connections but could struggle with jealousy or idealism.

Assigning your characters unique attributes makes them memorable even long after the player has finished playing the game. They add layers to your character’s personality, making them more interesting.

Game character: Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption

Tips to create game characters with unique attributes

1. Align with the archetype and backstory: Ensure attributes complement the character’s core identity. Maintaining consistency with the character’s established archetype and backstory is crucial. A well-rounded character is a harmonious blend of these elements.
2. Define the key personality traits: Define the traits that influence the character’s behavior and decisions. For example, a brave character who volunteers to lead the charge in battle speaks with confidence and conviction, is quick to help those in need, and remains calm and focused in the middle of chaos.
3. Include distinct features: Incorporate unique physical traits, such as scars, tattoos, hairstyles, or accessories that set the character apart.
4. Provide customization options: Player customization allows players to personalize certain aspects of a game character while maintaining its fundamental traits and characteristics. For example, appearance, equipment, clothing, and cosmetic features can be customizable.

Step 4: Visualize the character

It is always a good practice to create visuals of your characters, such as sketches, to depict their looks and personality. You can even use reference images to guide the character design process for games. Visual representation is crucial in bringing your characters to life and ensuring consistency in their appearance throughout the game.

Tips for accurate visualization

• Start with initial sketches that capture the silhouette and unique features.
• Draw the characters from various angles to comprehensively understand their appearance.
• Illustrate a range of facial expressions and poses to convey the character’s personality and emotions in different situations.
  Use real-life references of people, clothing, objects, or other fictional characters to inspire your character design.
• Document all the information above in a detailed game character design mood board.

Step 5: Align the gameplay mechanics with archetypes

Now, it’s time to consider how your characters will function within the game. Think about their movement, combat style, and defensive mechanisms. If your game uses 3D models, create a 3D version of your character. Video game character modeling for 3D games helps realistically visualize how the character will look and move in the game environment.

Key considerations to make

Movement and dynamics

Is your character a heavy, powerful tank, or a light, agile scout? Ensure their movement aligns with their physical appearance and role. For example, a bulky warrior might move slower but can take and deal more damage. Also, consider how the character’s personality influences their movement. For instance, a graceful dancer might have fluid and elegant motions.

Combat style

The character’s attack style should reflect their background and role in the story. Also, determine how they defend themselves. Each defensive style should complement their offensive capabilities.

Abilities and power-ups

When designing special abilities and power-ups for your character, decide whether they possess inherent superpowers or can acquire abilities through power-ups. These abilities should complement the character’s unique traits and enhance their gameplay experience.

Additionally, plan how these power-ups or in-game progress transforms the character’s abilities. For example, when a warrior gains a temporary strength boost, it makes them more powerful, adding depth to their game character development.

Interaction with other characters

When designing character interactions, ensure balance by giving powerful characters disadvantages, like slower speed or limited range, to maintain fair gameplay. In multiplayer or team-based games, consider how your character’s abilities complement or contrast with others, creating interesting synergies or rivalries and enhancing team dynamics. Read more in the next step.

Step 6: Create relationships with other characters

Establishing relationships between characters is a crucial aspect that significantly enhances the narrative depth and player engagement. These relationships can take various forms, including friendships, rivalries, mentorships, and romantic interests. A Mentor figure can guide a Hero, while a Villain often serves as an antagonist to challenge them.

Crafting realistic and dynamic interactions and relationships creates a more immersive experience that resonates with players emotionally.

Tips for creating realistic character relationships

• Show growth over time: Allow relationships to evolve throughout the game. Game character design involves allowing characters to respond to player actions and decisions, which can lead to strengthening or weakening bonds. For instance, a friendship might deepen after completing a challenging quest together, while a rivalry could intensify after conflicting choices.
• Incorporate conflict and resolution: Introduce conflicts that challenge relationships, such as disagreements or misunderstandings. These moments can lead to character growth and provide opportunities for resolution that feel rewarding to players.
• Use dynamic dialogue: Craft dialogue that reflects the nuances of each relationship. Allow for branching dialogue options that enable players to influence outcomes based on their choices. This interactivity can create a sense of agency, making players feel their decisions matter.
• Use visual cues and body language: Use visual storytelling techniques such as body language and facial expressions to convey relational dynamics during interactions. Subtle cues can indicate tension, affection, or rivalry without explicit dialogue.

Step 7: Add references of motion

To effectively bring your gameplay ideas to life, gather references that illustrate how animation and movement should work. This step in game character design enables fast and cost-effective gaming characters, also helping your team visualize the animation style you envision.

Consider using animated GIFs from platforms like Giphy, video clips from YouTube, or audio samples from Soundcloud. These resources can add motion and depth to your character, providing a clear and dynamic representation of their look and feel. Additionally, consider using motion capture footage or animated scenes from similar games and movies for a comprehensive visual and auditory reference.

Once you have gathered all your references and materials, organizing your content into coherent topics is essential. The goal is to present the game character design to your team in an inspiring and concise manner.

1. Categorize content: Group your references and materials into logical categories such as movement, combat, special abilities, and visual style.
2. Create a presentation: Develop a clear and engaging presentation that highlights the key aspects of your character. Use visuals, 3D animations, and concise descriptions to communicate your vision effectively.
3. Incorporate feedback: Allow room for feedback, and be prepared to refine your content based on inputs. Collaboration can enhance the final design.
4. Use storyboards: Create storyboards or visual flowcharts to show how the character’s animations and movements integrate with the game’s narrative and mechanics.
5. Documentation: Provide detailed documentation for each category, including technical specifications and implementation guidelines, to ensure the development team has all the necessary information.

Pro tip: Voice and sound effects
Choosing the right voice actor is crucial to bringing your character to life, as their voice needs to accurately reflect the character’s personality, emotions, and background. Additionally, unique sound effects for the character’s actions, such as footsteps, combat sounds, and special abilities, should align with their physical attributes and personality.

• Using clichés and stereotypes

Clichés and stereotypes can make characters feel predictable and unoriginal, leading to player disengagement. When characters fit into overly familiar molds, such as the “damsel in distress,” the “brooding anti-hero,” or the “wise old mentor”. They lack depth and fail to resonate with players, resulting in a lack of emotional investment and a missed opportunity for storytelling.

• Overcomplicating designs

While intricate designs can be visually stunning, overcomplicating game character designs can detract from clarity and player recognition. Suppose a character has too many details, such as many accessories or intricate patterns. In that case, it can confuse players and make it difficult for them to connect with the character.

• Neglecting cultural sensitivity

In an increasingly globalized gaming market, cultural sensitivity is paramount. Failing to consider cultural implications in character design can lead to misrepresentation or offensive portrayals, alienating players and damaging your brand’s reputation.

• Ignoring gameplay mechanics

Game character design should always consider gameplay mechanics. If a character’s abilities do not align with their design or the game’s mechanics, it can frustrate players and disrupt immersion.

• Rushing the design process

Rushing through the character design process can lead to missed opportunities for refinement and improvement. Iterative design allows for exploration and adjustment based on feedback, resulting in stronger characters.

• Underestimating the power of first impressions

First impressions matter significantly in video games; players often form opinions about characters based on their initial visual appearance. A strong first impression can draw players in and encourage them to engage more deeply with your game.

Our expertise as a character design studio is extensive. We do game character design, animation, concept art, and 3D modeling, ensuring your characters are captivating and lifelike. From unique personalities to stunning visuals, we bring your characters to life, making your game unforgettable.