Interesting article regarding character creation in games

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#27 May 02 2013 at 11:21 AM Rating: Good

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lolgaxe wrote:

BartelX wrote:

there's some weird disconnect for me being a dude and playing a female character, at least for my main.

Just to sate my curiosity, and flesh out the discussion in general: Do you (and anyone else) feel the same disconnect when playing a game where the lead is specifically female? Like Tomb Raider's Lara Croft, for instance. Or, I don't know, Bioshock Infinite's Booker DeWitt for female posters. Also, do you feel games would be better, in general, if they all had a choice between male and female protagonists?

Edited, May 2nd 2013 11:13am by lolgaxe

Personally no, I don't have a problem playing as a female protagonist. I think the disconnect comes from the fact that I interact with other people in mmo's, and it's especially weird for me if I'm in an LS and on voice chat. I know it's incredibly common for guys to play female characters in games, it just always made me feel awkward having to explain that I'm a guy. I don't think games would necessarily be better with a choice between male or femaile. I think if it fits the games mold, then go for it. But if you want to make a game with a strong female lead, I'm all for it and it won't hinder me from playing it if it looks good.

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#28 May 02 2013 at 11:32 AM Rating: Good

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I feel disconnected to a female character I created, definitely.

I agree with this. I like lightning and TR.. I dont mind in the least playing female protagonist in offline games. But anytime I make a character, I make him with the thought of my irl self or rather I project myself in game. Based on how I think or what I consider valuable. Like speed over strength or humor over seriousness etc.. Then pick what race, based on the lore that most identifies with these characteristics.. So I couldnt ever make a female character.. With the exception of playing my wifes character lol.

Edit: Also I spend a considerable amount of time in character creation.. Some where between wint and catwho.. Middle ground :)

Edit Edit: Little Off topic but they sure as hell better add ninja and sam in this game! I consider job a huge chunk of my character also. I was main ninja in XI untill I super beefed my sam up ;)

Edited, May 2nd 2013 1:45pm by AlexandEric

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#29 May 02 2013 at 11:42 AM Rating: Excellent

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I don't spend too much time on the physical attributes of characters, but I can spend hours tryin to choose the right name, even in offline games.

____________________________

Thayos Redblade
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#30 May 02 2013 at 12:07 PM Rating: Decent

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I have no problem playing or picking a female character. I reckon a lot of people that played as a Mithra in FFXI probably feel the same. Now they will have the option to be a man'quote.

Me personally for ARR will pick female Rogadyn just because there probably wont be to many running around.

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#31 May 02 2013 at 1:10 PM Rating: Good

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Slightly off topic, but I really like playing a game with a specific character in mind and following guidelines I make for the character. For example, I played through Skyrim as Sandor Clegane from Game of Thrones, avoiding fire, drinking often, killing for enjoyment and hating citizens in general.

One of these main reasons I loved SWTOR was that I was able to do a very similar playstyle as a Bounty Hunter who makes all decisions based on who was paying the most.

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#32 May 02 2013 at 1:42 PM Rating: Excellent

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I think there are different types of attachment to consider as well.

Someone who designs a character as an idealized version of themselves will feel more deeply for the character than someone who designs a character as an idealized sexual partner or a character you create to experiment with a different way of life.

I still think you invariably identify more with characters you spend more effort on, but certainly, the type of attachment you have is a multiplier on that effect.

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#33 May 02 2013 at 5:26 PM Rating: Good

Kierk

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Wint wrote:

BartelX wrote:

I spend some time also, but I don't really agree that I feel more connected because I designed it. In fact, sometimes I prefer games where the characters are already designed, because their stories tend to be fleshed out more and they usually are accompanied by voice acting at this point. Now, when they can record my voice and put it into the game, then maybe I'll feel more connected... most likely not though, that would just be weird.

This is a good point. For me, the default Shepard in Mass Effect looks exactly like what I want him to look like. I never modified his features because his default looks were perfect I thought.

That's funny because when I created my Shepard it looked very close to the default one.

In any case, I like creating a character but have a very tough time with the name. I don't know if I feel anymore connected to it as much as I do when I pick a class, or find certain equipment.

It's the entirety of the character that I become drawn to, and the time invested in it.

Most character customizations don't really look too different from each other. And coincidentally my favorite character is from FFXI and there were like 500 of the same likeness on the server.

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#34 May 02 2013 at 5:29 PM Rating: Good

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I take my time. But I'm also Obsessive Compulsive.... I think I made three different Skyrim characters, started the game then deleted before I settled on my final 'look'. Thats what was nice about FFXI in that you only had a limited amount of selections. I imagine I will be taking my time with FFXIV.

As for the article, GENERALLY, I would agree with most of what it said. You could also argue that anyone who is willing to spend hours or even days playing one character(s) pertaining to a specific game will identify with them regardless of what they look like. Good read though.

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#35 May 03 2013 at 10:01 PM Rating: Good

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I've mentioned in past posts that I'll spend hours creating my avatar. I'm not truly happy until I see it 'come to life' in the opening sequence. Or even worse, see that random avie pass me by during my intro and think, "You *****!" Then start all over.

I'm a shallow pixel.

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#36 May 03 2013 at 10:04 PM Rating: Decent

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I can spend 15+ minutes in character creation, depending on how many sliders, and basic options there are.

I have a feeling that this is gonna be the bane of me...

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#37 May 04 2013 at 9:20 AM Rating: Decent

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I have seen talk of others saying that height plays kind of a roll in wether or not you get a few more misses in a fight or not I don't know if this is true but these peeps say they have tested this fact for several hours on endand it holds true... So maybe character creation here plays a lil more roll? Have any of you toyed with this at all to help confirm this?

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#38 May 04 2013 at 9:49 AM Rating: Good

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Mmoderator wrote:

I have seen talk of others saying that height plays kind of a roll in wether or not you get a few more misses in a fight or not I don't know if this is true but these peeps say they have tested this fact for several hours on endand it holds true... So maybe character creation here plays a lil more roll? Have any of you toyed with this at all to help confirm this?

I've never heard of that, but if so... eff that. I like my Elezan lean and tall!

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#39 May 04 2013 at 10:28 AM Rating: Good

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Probably not the height itself, but the DEX stat associated with the race (or whatever the equivalent in XIV is.) Elvaan in XI were notoriously bad at DEX, so the joke was that an Elvaan DRK walked into a bar... and missed.

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#40 May 04 2013 at 1:10 PM Rating: Decent

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Catwho wrote:

Probably not the height itself, but the DEX stat associated with the race (or whatever the equivalent in XIV is.) Elvaan in XI were notoriously bad at DEX, so the joke was that an Elvaan DRK walked into a bar... and missed.

An Elvaan DRK...I love playing elf warrior types but...ugh o.o

I'm probably gonna go Mi'qote, just to make hitting a bit easier. Plus, I think they are kinda fitting for Paladins and Monks :P

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#41 May 06 2013 at 9:16 AM Rating: Good

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What really grinds my gears is when your character looks different from what you saw in the character creator. I spent a good while in the Mass Effect creator because of this. I eventually settled on a female Shepard because to me she fit the part way better than some lug head, which is what my male Shepard kept looking like once the opening cutscene showed him. It actually made the game more interesting, if only by a little.

I have a preconceived idea of what my characters in MMOs will look like so I generally try to meet that.

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Interesting article regarding character creation in gamesFollow