Subtlety in Motion: CHARACTERIZATION DURING GAMEPLAY

 

My Master’s project focuses on the characterization of video game characters during gameplay.  This is process of giving characters a true sense of who they are, how they think and act, and how they move while the player interacts with them.  How can a player become enthralled by a character’s personality or empathize with their nature?  Once we are given control, they transform into lifeless, robotic automatons with nothing that depicts their personality and uniqueness.

 

I created this potential game character named Emory.  In the past few months, I have utilized the robust animation tools inside of 3DStudio Max and discovered ways that Emory can use subtle body movement to give us insight into his character.  If we are to spend countless hours becoming these characters, controlling them throughout vast imaginary worlds, it is my belief that a convincing personality, told through various animations while we play, should become precedent over all aspects of that character if we are to fully enjoy the experience.

 

--Ryan Barrett