Difference between revisions of "Player-Created Characters"
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=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
| − | Most [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] (see [[ | + | Most [[:Category:Tabletop Roleplaying Games|Tabletop Roleplaying Games]] (see [[Universalis]] for an exception) support explicit rules for [[Player-Created Characters]], although many scenarios include pre-made characters to allow gameplay to begin more quickly. [[Ars Magica]] and [[GURPS]] are examples of such games where players spend points to determine attributes and other important characteristics, while [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and [[Mutant]] use dice. [[Fallen Reich]] and [[Traveller]] make use of dice as well, but here to create background stories and through these the attributes, skills, etc. |
[[:Category:Computer-based Roleplaying Games|Computer-based Roleplaying Games]] have take over several of these solutions, e.g. the [[Fallout series]] allowing players to spend points on attributes and [[NetHack]] letting players roll what attributes their characters should have. The [[Mass Effect series|Mass Effect]], [[Dragon Age series|Dragon Age]], and [[Witcher series]] allow some customization in the beginning, e.g. which gender one will play in the two first examples, and through gradual choices through out the gameplay allow the character to be perceived to be at least partly created by players. | [[:Category:Computer-based Roleplaying Games|Computer-based Roleplaying Games]] have take over several of these solutions, e.g. the [[Fallout series]] allowing players to spend points on attributes and [[NetHack]] letting players roll what attributes their characters should have. The [[Mass Effect series|Mass Effect]], [[Dragon Age series|Dragon Age]], and [[Witcher series]] allow some customization in the beginning, e.g. which gender one will play in the two first examples, and through gradual choices through out the gameplay allow the character to be perceived to be at least partly created by players. | ||
== Using the pattern == | == Using the pattern == | ||
| − | |||
Designing so that games have [[Player-Created Characters]] consists of creating rules for how players can affect [[Characters]]. Although the most obvious way to do this is through [[Initial Personalization]] such as [[Avatar Personalization]], [[Construction]], or [[Naming]] before gameplay begins, [[Player-Created Characters]] can emerge over time through the use of [[Character Development]] combined with [[Creative Control]] or [[Freedom of Choice]], e.g. through [[Character Defining Actions]]. These process can be affected more or less through the use of [[Randomness]], e.g. rolling initial statistics in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] or using the ''Life Board'' in [[Fallen Reich]]. | Designing so that games have [[Player-Created Characters]] consists of creating rules for how players can affect [[Characters]]. Although the most obvious way to do this is through [[Initial Personalization]] such as [[Avatar Personalization]], [[Construction]], or [[Naming]] before gameplay begins, [[Player-Created Characters]] can emerge over time through the use of [[Character Development]] combined with [[Creative Control]] or [[Freedom of Choice]], e.g. through [[Character Defining Actions]]. These process can be affected more or less through the use of [[Randomness]], e.g. rolling initial statistics in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] or using the ''Life Board'' in [[Fallen Reich]]. | ||
| − | Typical aspects of [[Player-Created Characters]] that are possible to change include [[Attributes]], [[Equipment]], [[Powers]], and [[Skills]]. | + | Typical aspects of [[Player-Created Characters]] that are possible to change include [[Attributes]], [[Equipment]], [[Powers]], and [[Skills]]. For games with [[Roleplaying]], the use of [[Character Alignments]] (e.g. in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and [[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]]) can help players shape how their [[Characters]] should behave in the [[Game Worlds|Game World]]. |
Although it may be most natural that the pattern [[Player-Created Characters]] is used to create [[Player Characters]], some games make use of the pattern to let player create [[Non-Player Characters]], e.g. [[Companions]] in roleplaying games such as [[GURPS]]. | Although it may be most natural that the pattern [[Player-Created Characters]] is used to create [[Player Characters]], some games make use of the pattern to let player create [[Non-Player Characters]], e.g. [[Companions]] in roleplaying games such as [[GURPS]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Workshopping]] is the generic term for various specific techniques used to create or modify [[Player-Created Characters]]. They differ from other ways of instantiating [[Player-Created Characters]] in that they are intended to be explicit gameplay activity and typically are done in groups. | ||
=== Interface Aspects === | === Interface Aspects === | ||
| − | In computer-based games, [[Player-Created Characters]] are constructed in [[Secondary | + | In computer-based games, [[Player-Created Characters]] are constructed in [[Secondary Interface Screens]]. |
== Consequences == | == Consequences == | ||
| − | Games supporting [[Player-Created Characters]] gives players [[Freedom of Choice]] and [[Creative Control]] in constructing [[Characters]], which may not only be [[Player Characters]] but can also be [[Non-Player Characters]] such as [[Companions]], | + | Games supporting [[Player-Created Characters]] gives players [[Freedom of Choice]] and [[Creative Control]] in constructing [[Characters]], although the level of control and freedom may depend on the level of [[Randomness]] involved in the process. These [[Characters]], which may not only be [[Player Characters]] but can also be [[Non-Player Characters]] such as [[Companions]], are all examples of [[Player Created Game Elements]]. That players have created them increases the possibilities for [[Identification]] and [[Emotional Engrossment]] and is likely to affect [[Roleplaying]] if this is present in a game design. The personalization possible also allows players to construct [[Player Defined Goals]] for their [[Characters]] as they are created, and can give them the [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]] over how the [[Narration Structures]] will develop as well as letting them have influence on what type of [[Role Fulfillment]] they can get to experience trying to make their [[Characters]] reach their goals (this is due to players' having [[Freedom of Choice]] while creating the [[Characters]] through [[Initial Personalization]]). Given that player can consider and choose the way they want [[Player-Created Characters]] to behave while they are creating them, these [[Characters]] are more likely to have [[Enforced Agent Behavior]] even if the behavior is decided by players rather than by game designers. |
| − | The time spent on [[Player-Created Characters]] is an example of [[Player Time Investments]] and is likely to lead to [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]]. For [[Late Arriving Players]], the use of [[Player-Created Characters]] can be used to let them better fit the already existing [[Characters]] in [[Multiplayer Games]]. | + | Although the creation of [[Player-Created Characters]] typically takes place before gameplay properly begins, they are not [[Predetermined Story Structures]] since they were not created by the game designers. However, game designers provide the rules for creating them so they can have heavy influence on what types of [[Player-Created Characters]] are allowed. The time spent on [[Player-Created Characters]] is an example of [[Player Time Investments]] and is likely to lead to [[Asymmetric Starting Conditions]]. For [[Late Arriving Players]], the use of [[Player-Created Characters]] can be used to let them better fit the already existing [[Characters]] in [[Multiplayer Games]]. |
== Relations == | == Relations == | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
[[Enforced Agent Behavior]], | [[Enforced Agent Behavior]], | ||
[[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], | [[Exaggerated Perception of Influence]], | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Player Created Game Elements]], |
[[Player Time Investments]], | [[Player Time Investments]], | ||
| − | [[Player Defined Goals]] | + | [[Player Defined Goals]], |
| + | [[Role Fulfillment]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== with [[Player Characters]] ==== | ||
| + | [[Identification]] | ||
=== Can Modulate === | === Can Modulate === | ||
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[[Characters]] together with [[Avatar Personalization]], [[Construction]], [[Initial Personalization]], or [[Naming]] | [[Characters]] together with [[Avatar Personalization]], [[Construction]], [[Initial Personalization]], or [[Naming]] | ||
| − | [[Character Development]] | + | [[Character Development]] in games with [[Characters]] and either [[Creative Control]] or [[Freedom of Choice]] |
=== Can Be Modulated By === | === Can Be Modulated By === | ||
| + | [[Character Alignments]], | ||
| + | [[Predetermined Story Structures]], | ||
[[Randomness]], | [[Randomness]], | ||
| − | [[Secondary | + | [[Secondary Interface Screens]], |
| + | [[Workshopping]] | ||
=== Possible Closure Effects === | === Possible Closure Effects === | ||
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=== Potentially Conflicting With === | === Potentially Conflicting With === | ||
| − | + | [[Predetermined Story Structures]] | |
== History == | == History == | ||
Latest revision as of 11:47, 17 July 2016
Characters whose creation players' have had some influence over.
Many games provide gameplay by letting players control characters of some form. When the players have the chance of either creating these before gameplay begins or over time develop them to be as the players want, these are Player-Created Characters. Games with these allow players to customize not only the characters but through them the overall gameplay experience they will have. The downside to this is that it can take time and require knowledge to do this well, and can make it more difficult for game designers to provide narratives that have roles optimized for such characters.
Contents
Examples
Most Tabletop Roleplaying Games (see Universalis for an exception) support explicit rules for Player-Created Characters, although many scenarios include pre-made characters to allow gameplay to begin more quickly. Ars Magica and GURPS are examples of such games where players spend points to determine attributes and other important characteristics, while Dungeons & Dragons and Mutant use dice. Fallen Reich and Traveller make use of dice as well, but here to create background stories and through these the attributes, skills, etc.
Computer-based Roleplaying Games have take over several of these solutions, e.g. the Fallout series allowing players to spend points on attributes and NetHack letting players roll what attributes their characters should have. The Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Witcher series allow some customization in the beginning, e.g. which gender one will play in the two first examples, and through gradual choices through out the gameplay allow the character to be perceived to be at least partly created by players.
Using the pattern
Designing so that games have Player-Created Characters consists of creating rules for how players can affect Characters. Although the most obvious way to do this is through Initial Personalization such as Avatar Personalization, Construction, or Naming before gameplay begins, Player-Created Characters can emerge over time through the use of Character Development combined with Creative Control or Freedom of Choice, e.g. through Character Defining Actions. These process can be affected more or less through the use of Randomness, e.g. rolling initial statistics in Dungeons & Dragons or using the Life Board in Fallen Reich.
Typical aspects of Player-Created Characters that are possible to change include Attributes, Equipment, Powers, and Skills. For games with Roleplaying, the use of Character Alignments (e.g. in Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay) can help players shape how their Characters should behave in the Game World.
Although it may be most natural that the pattern Player-Created Characters is used to create Player Characters, some games make use of the pattern to let player create Non-Player Characters, e.g. Companions in roleplaying games such as GURPS.
Workshopping is the generic term for various specific techniques used to create or modify Player-Created Characters. They differ from other ways of instantiating Player-Created Characters in that they are intended to be explicit gameplay activity and typically are done in groups.
Interface Aspects
In computer-based games, Player-Created Characters are constructed in Secondary Interface Screens.
Consequences
Games supporting Player-Created Characters gives players Freedom of Choice and Creative Control in constructing Characters, although the level of control and freedom may depend on the level of Randomness involved in the process. These Characters, which may not only be Player Characters but can also be Non-Player Characters such as Companions, are all examples of Player Created Game Elements. That players have created them increases the possibilities for Identification and Emotional Engrossment and is likely to affect Roleplaying if this is present in a game design. The personalization possible also allows players to construct Player Defined Goals for their Characters as they are created, and can give them the Exaggerated Perception of Influence over how the Narration Structures will develop as well as letting them have influence on what type of Role Fulfillment they can get to experience trying to make their Characters reach their goals (this is due to players' having Freedom of Choice while creating the Characters through Initial Personalization). Given that player can consider and choose the way they want Player-Created Characters to behave while they are creating them, these Characters are more likely to have Enforced Agent Behavior even if the behavior is decided by players rather than by game designers.
Although the creation of Player-Created Characters typically takes place before gameplay properly begins, they are not Predetermined Story Structures since they were not created by the game designers. However, game designers provide the rules for creating them so they can have heavy influence on what types of Player-Created Characters are allowed. The time spent on Player-Created Characters is an example of Player Time Investments and is likely to lead to Asymmetric Starting Conditions. For Late Arriving Players, the use of Player-Created Characters can be used to let them better fit the already existing Characters in Multiplayer Games.
Relations
Can Instantiate
Asymmetric Starting Conditions, Emotional Engrossment, Enforced Agent Behavior, Exaggerated Perception of Influence, Player Created Game Elements, Player Time Investments, Player Defined Goals, Role Fulfillment
with Player Characters
Can Modulate
Attributes, Characters, Companions, Equipment, Late Arriving Players, Narration Structures, Non-Player Characters, Player Characters, Powers, Roleplaying, Skills
Can Be Instantiated By
Characters together with Avatar Personalization, Construction, Initial Personalization, or Naming
Character Development in games with Characters and either Creative Control or Freedom of Choice
Can Be Modulated By
Character Alignments, Predetermined Story Structures, Randomness, Secondary Interface Screens, Workshopping
Possible Closure Effects
-
Potentially Conflicting With
Predetermined Story Structures
History
New pattern created in this wiki.
References
-
Acknowledgements
Karl Bergström
