Character 97
98 Chapter 4: Working with Dramatic Elements
Game characters also have some unique considerations.
The most important of these is the balance
between ???agency??? and ???empathy.??? Agency is the
practical function of a character to serve as a representation
of the player in the game. Agency can be
completely utilitarian, or it can include aspects of
creativity, role-playing and identi?¬? cation. Empathy
is the potential for players to develop an emotional
a achment to the character, to identify with their
goals and, consequentially, the game objectives.
Agency and empathy must be considered at every
level of the game design that involves characters.
For example, are characters predesigned? Do they
have an existing backstory and motivations? Or are
they player-created characters? Do they allow customization
and growth? Early game characters were
completely de?¬? ned by how they looked, with li le
or no a empt at characterization. Mario, in his ?¬? rst
appearance in Donkey Kong, was de?¬? ned by his funny
nose and signature cap and overalls. While his motivation,
rescuing Pauline, was integrated into both the
formal and dramatic aspects of the game, he was ultimately
a ?¬‚ at, static character who did not change or
grow over the course of the game.
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