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Community => Adventure Related Talk & Chat => Topic started by: Hernald on Sat 20/07/2013 09:16:12

Title: Character Profile
Post by: Hernald on Sat 20/07/2013 09:16:12
I was thinking of focusing more on Character in my next game; so I was wondering what I should know about them to help give the story a bit of depth.
I came up with fifteen or sixteen things by looking at story writing sites and my son came up with seven more which are mainly from RPGs.

Has anyone got any they would add to this list and have any game story writers got any advice about which ones to focus on?

Cheers in advance.

   
     
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

          Occupation
       

          Job, or how they make ends meet/prosper.
       

          Age + Sex
       

          At least which of the seven ages of man they fall into. Possibly
          birthdate. Oh, and gender.
       

          Species
       

          Race or Species; Important in a Fantasy story
       

          Abilities
       

          Notable strengths and skills
       

          Weaknesses
       

          Addictions, Aversions, Disabilities; Frailties of Character and Body
       

          Goals
       

          Especially in the story; what they are trying to do.
       

          Clothes
       

          The clothes disclose the person.
       

          Appearance
       

          Maybe have something to aim at in text; but this is basically the
          graphics.
       

          Possessions
       

          On person and at home; Things they can use or have taken from them.
       

          Names
       

          What they are called by different people. 'Real' name and nicknames,
          if any.
       

          Associates
       

          Friends, Family, Pets, Colleagues. The people and animals in their
          life.
       

          Rivals
       

          Opponents, Enemies
       

          History
       

          Childhood. Defining episodes in their life.
       

          Home
       

          Where they live; this says as much about them as their clothes.
          There home may be a room or rooms that are graphics in the game.
       

          Likes
       

          From preferences to obsessions. Things they will gravitate to.
       

          Dislikes
       

          From mild dislikes to full-blown phobias. Anything they are repelled
          by and will seek to avoid.
       

          Beliefs
       

          Religion. Politics. Delusions. Principles.
       

          Coping
       

          How they deal with conflict and change.
       

          Hobbies
       

          Things that do for the love of it; Gardening, jigsaws, collecting
          stamps, whatever.
       

          Quirks
       

          Habits and mannerisms; an annoying laugh, nose picking, playing with
          loose change in pocket etc.
       

          Personality
       

          'Nice','Whiny','Sarcastic' ; that sort of thing.
       

          Role
       

          The functions they have in the game.
       
Title: Re: Character Profile
Post by: Snarky on Sat 20/07/2013 10:30:51
Here's a form Tim Schafer recommends:

(http://www.doublefine.com/assets/forum_updates/writing5_characters/writing5_03.png)
Title: Re: Character Profile
Post by: Babar on Sat 20/07/2013 12:30:08
http://babar.uoou.info/tutorial/2/imgsite/charsheet1.gif
http://babar.uoou.info/tutorial/2/imgsite/charsheet2.gif
(nabbed from a tut off elfwood)

Just linking them instead of showing, because they're huge.
Title: Re: Character Profile
Post by: Hernald on Wed 24/07/2013 01:45:35
Thanks for digging up those lists both. They helped me to ask myself more of the right sort of questions and they come from interesting sites.