Generating Freshness in Character Design for Video Games: A Creative Approach

Video game character design can sometimes feel repetitive, especially for those working in the industry. However, there are methods and techniques that can help designers approach the process with creativity and innovation. One such method, often employed by professional designers, involves the utilization of chess set principles, unique silhouettes, and synthesis techniques.

The Chess Set Principle

One of the foundational ideas in creating a varied and interesting set of characters is the chess set principle. This involves designing a series of unique characters that share a visual theme and possess hierarchical abilities. By doing so, designers can create a coherent and engaging group of characters that players can interact with meaningfully.

Unique Silhouettes

An essential aspect of character design is ensuring that each character can be easily identified by their silhouette alone. This is particularly important in situations where lighting conditions are poor or when characters need to be quickly distinguished from one another. Each character should give clues to their unique abilities through their visual design, making them instantly recognizable.

Synthesis: Combining Elements for Innovation

Synthesis is a powerful technique that involves combining two seemingly unrelated elements to create a new, unique concept. This method is often associated with dualities, as seen in Taoism and film-making, and is closely linked to the philosophical ideas of Hegel. By using synthesis, designers can generate an endless variety of creative character designs.

Creating Character Concepts with Synthesis

To illustrate this technique, let's generate character concepts by combining two lists. The first list contains elements that can move under their own power, such as animals, fish, insects, robots, cars, monsters, aliens, steam engines, etc. The second list includes various types of protective costumes, such as Roman centurion armor, samurai armor, sports costumes with padding and helmets, SWAT army garb, construction workers’ garb, etc.

By combining items from these lists, you can create unique and interesting character concepts. For example, consider the following combinations:

Alien Samurai Insect Centurions Zombie Baseball Hall of Famers Robot Steam Punk SWAT Machines Neptune’s Own Construction Corporation

Each combination offers a fresh and unique character that can be further developed into a complete and engaging design.

Differentiating on Theme to Create a Chess Set

Once you have a set of unique concepts, differentiate them within your visual theme to create a cohesive chess set. This involves creating characters with varying levels of power and role within the game, such as pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, queens, and kings.

For example, in a game centered around zombie baseball stars:

A Lesser Minion (Pawn): A zombie outfielder who runs around looking for incoming fly balls. He is less threatening and is easily knocked down. A Short Stop (Rook): A short zombie with a low stance that moves faster, making it harder to knock down. His squat stance is recognizable from any angle. A Base Runner (Knight): A baseman with a ball that can slow or stop players if they touch it. His asymmetrical glove/throwing hand shape makes him stand out. A Catcher (Bishop): The toughest zombie with a lot of padding, making him difficult to displace. His squat, fat silhouette is very visible from afar. A Pitcher (Queen/Mini-Boss): A zombie queen who slings balls like a canon, causing significant damage and disorientation. Her lean back and cocked for pitching pose makes her easily recognizable. A Slugger (King/Boss): A powerful zombie with a bat that can deliver fatal blows. The catcher helps him by slowing down other players. He is the only zombie with a bat, making him easy to spot.

Defining Characters by What They Lack

Characters, especially heroes, are more defined by what they lack or cannot do than by their positive traits and abilities. By intentionally leaving gaps in a character's capabilities, designers can create compelling narratives and challenges for players. This technique also helps in making characters more relatable and interesting.

By following these principles and using the synthesis technique, designers can approach character design with renewed creativity and enthusiasm. This not only enhances the overall quality of game characters but also greatly improves theplayer experience.

Cheers!