Making up a completely original VG protagonist. Why can't developers?

[mrhappyface]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

 

[Internet Kraken]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

 

[Nimbus]

Come to think of it, Mario is probably the most original protagonist ever. An overweight Italian Plumber, fighting against brown mushrooms, by eating mushrooms to grow, plants to shoot fire... You get where I'm going with this. If Mario were never a thing and the concept came up today, everyone would think whoever came up with it was on drugs or something...

 

[Lullabye]

I want to play as a Taiwanese transvestite with cancer and aids. As you play the game, you have to get treatment for both, otherwise you slowly die.

 

[Lullabye]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

You never know until you try.

 

[mrhappyface]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

Still it can't be any worse than a blue hedgehog wearing sneakers that runs at FTL speeds and fights a overweight egg shaped villian that makes robots.

 

[Internet Kraken]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

You never know until you try.

Yeah, I can't picture a serious story being made about such a character. Or a funny story. In fact, I can't imagine any story being made about such a character that wouldn't just be massive mind fuck. Can you?

Still it can't be any worse than a blue hedgehog wearing sneakers that runs at FTL speeds and fights a overweight egg shaped villian that makes robots.

Have you seen the recent Sonic games attempts at having an epic story? They always end up looking ridiculous.

 

[mrhappyface]

I want to play as a Taiwanese transvestite with cancer and aids. As you play the game, you have to get treatment for both, otherwise you slowly die.

That might have some really cool moral dillema situations like in InFamous.

 

[Lullabye]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

You never know until you try.

Yeah, I can't picture a serious story being made about such a character. Or a funny story. In fact, I can't imagine any story being made about such a character that wouldn't just be massive mind fuck. Can you?

Yeah i can. It could be a serious story, but one that throughout often makes fun of itself. Just because you "can't imagine" doesnt mean it wont happen or work. I think the term is close minded". Your still right though, many people wont buy or play the game because it's so ridiculous. But so what? if it's a good game it will eventually come to light in the mainstream, if its just a bad game with a ridiculous theme, then it will fail. The fact remains that most video games are based on something ridiculous.

 

[JRCB]

You play Steve. He has low health, low strength, but knows how to run like hell and is incredibly lucky. He also has a blender. Good luck, player.

 

[Spleenbag]

You play Steve. He has low health, low strength, but knows how to run like hell and is incredibly lucky. He also has a blender. Good luck, player.

I would enjoy playing that, actually. Everyman: The Game, perhaps?

As for an original character: French-born American engineer, starring in a technology-focused stealth game. Character is neither ripped nor super-intelligent, but he knows how to make things work.

 

[coldfrog]

I want to play as a Taiwanese transvestite with cancer and aids. As you play the game, you have to get treatment for both, otherwise you slowly die.

It's not quite got the moral impact, but it would probably play something like this [http://www.increpare.com/2009/10/home/].

 

[Internet Kraken]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

You never know until you try.

Yeah, I can't picture a serious story being made about such a character. Or a funny story. In fact, I can't imagine any story being made about such a character that wouldn't just be massive mind fuck. Can you?

Yeah i can. It could be a serious story, but one that throughout often makes fun of itself. Just because you "can't imagine" doesnt mean it wont happen or work. I think the term is close minded". Your still right though, many people wont buy or play the game because it's so ridiculous. But so what? if it's a good game it will eventually come to light in the mainstream, if its just a bad game with a ridiculous theme, then it will fail. The fact remains that most video games are based on something ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm closed minded just because I think that a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is completely ridiculous. Yes, many video games are based on ridiculous things. But even in the most bizarre characters you can still find something appealing about them. A good character needs appeal. Where is the appeal in this character?

The main reason most people hate grungy space marines is because they usually have no personality whatsoever. There's nothing appealing about them. How is that character you suggested any better?

 

[mrhappyface]

You play Steve. He has low health, low strength, but knows how to run like hell and is incredibly lucky. He also has a blender. Good luck, player.

An incredibly lucky Margarita-making Bartender? Desmond from Assassin's Creed!

 

[mrhappyface]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

You never know until you try.

Yeah, I can't picture a serious story being made about such a character. Or a funny story. In fact, I can't imagine any story being made about such a character that wouldn't just be massive mind fuck. Can you?

Yeah i can. It could be a serious story, but one that throughout often makes fun of itself. Just because you "can't imagine" doesnt mean it wont happen or work. I think the term is close minded". Your still right though, many people wont buy or play the game because it's so ridiculous. But so what? if it's a good game it will eventually come to light in the mainstream, if its just a bad game with a ridiculous theme, then it will fail. The fact remains that most video games are based on something ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm closed minded just because I think that a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is completely ridiculous. Yes, many video games are based on ridiculous things. But even in the most bizarre characters you can still find something appealing about them. A good character needs appeal. Where is the appeal in this character?

The main reason most people hate grungy space marines is because they usually have no personality whatsoever. There's nothing appealing about them. How is that character you suggested any better?

Sorry, that was just a merely hypothetical character. I mean why can't i play as a industrial tycoon in the 19 century or a WW1 British trooper?

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I'm not thinking something as random as THAT... but I mean I am pretty sick of the protagonist templates in use nowadays. I mean, Uncharted is a great game, but Nathan Drake is about as complex as a butter knife. Same can be said for Leon Kennedy, Alex Mercer or Chris Redfield. There just seems to be a 'safe zone' that developers dare don't step out of.

All male protagonists have to be stupidly charming, sarcastic and patriotic. But they also need a gritty emotional side. I swear, you could get more complex matter from a box of cheerios.

 

[Galaxialconda]

Some toast... on rollerskates.

 

[Lullabye]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

You never know until you try.

Yeah, I can't picture a serious story being made about such a character. Or a funny story. In fact, I can't imagine any story being made about such a character that wouldn't just be massive mind fuck. Can you?

Yeah i can. It could be a serious story, but one that throughout often makes fun of itself. Just because you "can't imagine" doesnt mean it wont happen or work. I think the term is close minded". Your still right though, many people wont buy or play the game because it's so ridiculous. But so what? if it's a good game it will eventually come to light in the mainstream, if its just a bad game with a ridiculous theme, then it will fail. The fact remains that most video games are based on something ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm closed minded just because I think that a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is completely ridiculous. Yes, many video games are based on ridiculous things. But even in the most bizarre characters you can still find something appealing about them. A good character needs appeal. Where is the appeal in this character?

The main reason most people hate grungy space marines is because they usually have no personality whatsoever. There's nothing appealing about them. How is that character you suggested any better?

Wait, so basically all your saying is that you want a good character personality?....um, who doesnt? I think we're arguing over different things, I was discussing the general differences, mainly physical. I figured a good personality was a given. Perhaps they could be DID or something.

 

[mrhappyface]

True, we need more characters like Pac Man and Mario and Doom Marine.

 

[Internet Kraken]

I wonder why game developers always try to stick to archetypes when developing heroes or villians. If i wanted to, why can't i play as a a bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust instead of a grungy oversized space marine?

Because those archetypes have been proven to work. People are comfortable with characters that fit into these categories. And just because a character has the archetype of "rogue cop" or "tragic war hero", that doesn't mean they can't still be interesting and well developed characters.

The reason you never play as a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is because that would be ridiculous. That's such an odd combination of character traits, and it's so unfamiliar that most people would be repulsed by it. That and the fact that it would be difficult to make an entire game revolving around such a character without it feeling like a bad acid trip.

You never know until you try.

Yeah, I can't picture a serious story being made about such a character. Or a funny story. In fact, I can't imagine any story being made about such a character that wouldn't just be massive mind fuck. Can you?

Yeah i can. It could be a serious story, but one that throughout often makes fun of itself. Just because you "can't imagine" doesnt mean it wont happen or work. I think the term is close minded". Your still right though, many people wont buy or play the game because it's so ridiculous. But so what? if it's a good game it will eventually come to light in the mainstream, if its just a bad game with a ridiculous theme, then it will fail. The fact remains that most video games are based on something ridiculous.

I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm closed minded just because I think that a "bisexual gnome with a motorcycle made of angel food cake and a Crossbow that shoots STDs and Pixie Dust" is completely ridiculous. Yes, many video games are based on ridiculous things. But even in the most bizarre characters you can still find something appealing about them. A good character needs appeal. Where is the appeal in this character?

The main reason most people hate grungy space marines is because they usually have no personality whatsoever. There's nothing appealing about them. How is that character you suggested any better?

Sorry, that was just a merely hypothetical character. I mean why can't i play as a industrial tycoon in the 19 century or a WW1 British trooper?

Okay, now that's a character that might actually work. The reason you can't play as them is because nobody has made a game about such a character. Now there could be a variety of reasons as to why. For example, you probably haven't played as a WW1 British Trooper because a WW1 video game would not be very good. That is, unless you like sitting and eventually dying inside filthy trenches.