There's a unique phenomenon concerning the obsession with "Original Characters" on the Internet, where it seems to me like we've robbed characters of the elements that make them characters in the first place. Characters without character, so to speak. In narratology characters are often defined as actors or agents, vessels the move and develop the … Continue reading The Consumerism of Character
Characters
RPG Design Journal #4: Heroes, Villains, and the Morally Ambiguous
Now that we have a very basic history sketched up for our setting, lets add a few inhabitants that the players can learn about and interact with. As I've mentioned before - the strength of a setting's lore is in its interaction. NPCs are useful because they can both impart lore onto players passively (through … Continue reading RPG Design Journal #4: Heroes, Villains, and the Morally Ambiguous
Subtle Characterization in Games
I've been playing Red Hook Studios' Darkest Dungeon for a little over three months now, and while its far from a perfect game, I have come to love playing it. From its gothic visuals, to its growling narrator, to its brutal mechanics, the game masterfully weaves a tone of despair and darkness, while still giving … Continue reading Subtle Characterization in Games
Pen and Screen 