Their own defined character absolutely. Not a fan of self insertion and it makes me not immerse at all, which is ironic.
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Do you prefer when your player character is an avatar for you, or their own defined character?
- Thread starter Uzumaki Goku
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Something in between. I've only realized how much I've liked it over the years since there doesn't seem to be much. Other than Mass Effect, I can only think of Persona 5 (idk about the others in the series).
Avatar, preferably mute and ALSO not a self-insert. I like it when my character is practicaly a non-entity while the characters s/he is with are the ones that move the story.
I don't need to self-insert into a story to enjoy it, and I don't need to pretend I am the character to get engrossed in the gameplay mechanics. A predefined character will almost always be leagues more interesting than a blank slate.
Obviously games like RPGs that are built around choice and consequence are the major exception; in those cases, you want to have the widest set of options available to make any character type, personality and character dynamic you want and see the world reflect that- the more RPGs do stuff like Shepard, Hawke and the voiced FO4 protagonist, the weaker those games progressively get.
Obviously games like RPGs that are built around choice and consequence are the major exception; in those cases, you want to have the widest set of options available to make any character type, personality and character dynamic you want and see the world reflect that- the more RPGs do stuff like Shepard, Hawke and the voiced FO4 protagonist, the weaker those games progressively get.
Defined, defined, defined. Even in games like The Elder Scrolls, I don't make "myself." I make characters whose origins and beliefs I try to shape prior to beginning the file.
Games very rarely justify not having a defined character. Almost every time they can just create that character.
Defined character all the way. Altho I love persona to death, playing the FF7 Remake after P5 Royal makes me appreciate so much more the fact that Cloud is an actual character with a voice instead of a blank state like P5's protagonist. Really wish they would change that from the series
I really don't have a preference. I can't ever remember thinking a developer made the wrong decision in regards to this kind of thing, I'm happy to play along with whatever is presented. I played Geralt as the character he was established to be in the books, I played Commander Shepard as a pre-defined hero that still allowed me to overlay my own choice of personality on top, and I've made up elaborate backstories in my head for protagonists that are intended to be blank slates.
Avatars actually suck pretty much most of the time. Why would I want to play a game where they character I'm playing as is just a shell. They have no real backstory or proper involvement with any of the characters, they're just there because I'm there. I'd much rather a defined character that grows in the game. I don't get the whole project yourself thing with Avatars, if I'm playing a game I'm projecting the character regardless of who or what they are. It's no excuse to make my playable character a nobody,
I have never tried to self insert and I have never benefited from an effort to try to make me do so. I'm fine with character customization but I always prefer to do so within the bounds of an actual character, rather than various silent protagonists and bland nobodies.
ME did a good job and set an example that should be followed by every game looking to do character customization. There is no excuse for the Ethans and Links of the world dragging down games anymore.
In-between or defined. Self inserts are terrible.
ME did a good job and set an example that should be followed by every game looking to do character customization. There is no excuse for the Ethans and Links of the world dragging down games anymore.
In-between or defined. Self inserts are terrible.
I prefer something in between I guess. I personally prefer as much character customization as possible, but if they spark enough life into the character through VO or world building that's ok with me.
Examples would be stuff like Divinity, Dragon Age, Mass Effect,The Saints row Games.
Examples would be stuff like Divinity, Dragon Age, Mass Effect,The Saints row Games.
*Looks at long list of RPGs with only male defined characters*
Yes.
100% defined character, 100% of the time.
Character creators are fun but if it's a serious story game, I always have a hard disconnect playing a random character, and ESPECIALLY if they're a silent protagonist. I'm going to lump silent protagonists in with this too, since they can't really be a defined character most of the time because they're intended to be a blank slate, and I loathe that.
Games can certainly have great stories without a defined character (see FFXIV Shadowbringers) but it's SO ANNOYING seeing your player character, a mute, basically emotionless puppet, stringed along with all these great characters and performances. It's really lame.
Character creators are fun but if it's a serious story game, I always have a hard disconnect playing a random character, and ESPECIALLY if they're a silent protagonist. I'm going to lump silent protagonists in with this too, since they can't really be a defined character most of the time because they're intended to be a blank slate, and I loathe that.
Games can certainly have great stories without a defined character (see FFXIV Shadowbringers) but it's SO ANNOYING seeing your player character, a mute, basically emotionless puppet, stringed along with all these great characters and performances. It's really lame.
Geralt would probably be the closest to my preference. I can make some pretty significant choices, but they're still within the bounds of who Geralt is.
I know most see Shepard as their own character, but it's hard for me to feel the same when he/she has their own lines...and they only really have two paths. Unless the player character is silent, I don't ever feel like they're my own, so might as well go for somebody that's defined.
I know most see Shepard as their own character, but it's hard for me to feel the same when he/she has their own lines...and they only really have two paths. Unless the player character is silent, I don't ever feel like they're my own, so might as well go for somebody that's defined.
It depends on the game. In a true RPG, I prefer the character to be as close to a clean slate as possible so I can mold him/her as I see fit. This is also great for replayability.
In a meticulously-crafted story-heavy game, I prefer characters who feel like they exist as their own person, and I am just viewing the experience from their perspective.
In a meticulously-crafted story-heavy game, I prefer characters who feel like they exist as their own person, and I am just viewing the experience from their perspective.
It really depends on the character.
Like, I specifically didn't play Witcher 3 for a long time because I just didn't think Geralt seemed interesting. If the game had all the acclaim and a character creator, I may have jumped in sooner.
I specifically played Mafia 3 because the main character seemed interesting. If the game had a character creator I probably wouldn't have played it at all.
I like Byleth/Robin/Corrin just fine in Fire Emblem but I would have preferred to just play as Chrom/Edelgard without the Avatar (no idea how Fates would work in that regard...). I don't think the Avatar really added all that much except for narrative ease.
I think what it comes down to, for me, is that I don't find white men engaging as protagonists, so if I'm forced into that role the game needs to be really good and really unique. With a non-white or female protagonist my bar for interest is lower. With a character creator everything but that character is way more important.
Like, I specifically didn't play Witcher 3 for a long time because I just didn't think Geralt seemed interesting. If the game had all the acclaim and a character creator, I may have jumped in sooner.
I specifically played Mafia 3 because the main character seemed interesting. If the game had a character creator I probably wouldn't have played it at all.
I like Byleth/Robin/Corrin just fine in Fire Emblem but I would have preferred to just play as Chrom/Edelgard without the Avatar (no idea how Fates would work in that regard...). I don't think the Avatar really added all that much except for narrative ease.
I think what it comes down to, for me, is that I don't find white men engaging as protagonists, so if I'm forced into that role the game needs to be really good and really unique. With a non-white or female protagonist my bar for interest is lower. With a character creator everything but that character is way more important.
I like both, but I hate the in-between. Games that have a set character that's supposed to be a stand-in for you but they clearly have their own personality annoy me.
Defined characters. I'm not a badass mercenary or space marine or whatever the avatar is. I don't want to be a character in the story, especially since I can't actually express myself in game anyways.
Defined character. Never have I played a single player game and think "yeah, this is me". Avatar characters are boring and lack any personality or interests at all. And yes, representation matters. Character creators are usually so garbage that's it's insanely uncommon to find a one that actually looks like me. Usually games have no hair choice for medium to long dreads or light skinned black male that looks real.
Idk. Most of the time when I have a created character I don't make them a stand-in for myself.
In games like Pillars for example, I plan what kind of person I want that character to be and then play the role I've created.
In games like Pillars for example, I plan what kind of person I want that character to be and then play the role I've created.
I honestly don't mind any approach; I always try to go for what the developers intended and form my ultimate opinion based on how successful the approach has been. For example, TLoU2 is very rigid in how it approaches its characters, and to me it was wildly successful.
Ideally I'd like something similar to Dragon Age 2's conversation system that affects the main character's personality.
I could only imagine how that could have been expanded and improved upon but...Dragon Age 2.
I could only imagine how that could have been expanded and improved upon but...Dragon Age 2.
I enjoy both, but I do put a lot of time and effort into creating my character if it's an option.
I usually don't have an issue with main characters but have dropped games because of them.
I usually don't have an issue with main characters but have dropped games because of them.
I love the Sheperd approach. 🙂 Theres enough nuance in all directions to make him/her personalized, but still have the self concept of him saving the Galaxy no matter how you do it.
But different games and genre's I feel, warrant different approaches. Games like Uncharted or Tomb Raider should have defined characters, but I honestly wouldn't have minded if Horizon Zero Dawn let you create a character, but have Aloy as the base "Sheperd" in the game.
But different games and genre's I feel, warrant different approaches. Games like Uncharted or Tomb Raider should have defined characters, but I honestly wouldn't have minded if Horizon Zero Dawn let you create a character, but have Aloy as the base "Sheperd" in the game.
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As a transgender woman, being able to create a character held a lot more importance to me. I've only played about 20 minutes of GTAV's campaign, the unskippable tutorial, and spent the other 100+ hours in the online mode with my generated persona.
I've always liked RPGs anyway, so thankfully 9/10 of those have character-creation options. I've skipped ones in the past that forced you into male-only characters. There's plenty of other games to play, I'm not going to lose any sleep missing the one that restricts me.
Don't get me wrong, I'll still play games I want to play with a male protagonist, you'll never keep me away from a Batman or Spider-Man game, but the past decade of Kassandra, Aloy, 2B, Chloe & Max and more at least mean I can relate a lot more to who's on screen these days.
I've always liked RPGs anyway, so thankfully 9/10 of those have character-creation options. I've skipped ones in the past that forced you into male-only characters. There's plenty of other games to play, I'm not going to lose any sleep missing the one that restricts me.
Don't get me wrong, I'll still play games I want to play with a male protagonist, you'll never keep me away from a Batman or Spider-Man game, but the past decade of Kassandra, Aloy, 2B, Chloe & Max and more at least mean I can relate a lot more to who's on screen these days.
Ermm honestly I just don't care in the slightest... I'll click RANDOM if it's an option. Same with names in MMOs - I will press random if it's available and if I make alts ill just add extra letters to the middle of whatever random name i got - Bob, Bobb, bobbb, bobbbbb for example. Male, female, cat person, green thing whatever it really doesn't matter to me.
So I guess a defined character? Assassins Creed was better for forcing me to play as Kassandra
So I guess a defined character? Assassins Creed was better for forcing me to play as Kassandra
How interesting/appealing the main character is to me is one of the principal draws for me in choosing to play a (story driven) game.
I want to be able to empathize with a character who has inherently different motivations and drives than me, and see how the world reacts to them. A well defined character allows me to access and resonate with the world with so much more depth than an avatar.
The only draw for me of avatars is getting to create a representation of yourself if you are from a group who rarely gets that, but it feels shallow to me since your experience in the game world isnt affected by that identity. I'd rather just have more diverse defined characters lol.
That said #LetLinkTalk
I want to be able to empathize with a character who has inherently different motivations and drives than me, and see how the world reacts to them. A well defined character allows me to access and resonate with the world with so much more depth than an avatar.
The only draw for me of avatars is getting to create a representation of yourself if you are from a group who rarely gets that, but it feels shallow to me since your experience in the game world isnt affected by that identity. I'd rather just have more diverse defined characters lol.
That said #LetLinkTalk
Very rarely even in rpgs that allow you to will I actually role play some certain build or story so in general I do prefer the "Witcher" route where you're a character with an already set story and I get to be that character.
In games with choice I like something in between like Mass Effect. If I'm not making any actual choices I prefer a defined character. That's way more interesting to me than having some blank slate going with the flow of the story with no agency. This is all assuming there's a story.
Avatars can be okay; but they really suck in games like Dragon Quest and the newest Fire Emblem where you can't customistse them at all apart from their name and they just act bland for the whole game. Especially when the game is voice acted, so even though you've given a name all the characters awkwardly refer to you by some title.
"Wow you're the legendary Waycharter! You're such a cool and special person and the only one who can save the world and also help me overcome my self esteem issues by standing there doing nothing while I monologue and then say I love you!" I just have no patience for this anymore.
"Wow you're the legendary Waycharter! You're such a cool and special person and the only one who can save the world and also help me overcome my self esteem issues by standing there doing nothing while I monologue and then say I love you!" I just have no patience for this anymore.
I don't self insert with character creators - I role play. Definitely my preferred option, in a sandbox world, because then your imagination is the limit, so limitless replayability. Defined characters on the other hand are the same in every play through, but I get why people would prefer that if they don't have the imagination and patience to create their own stories.
I love that we have a mix of both though. I enjoy The Elder Scrolls more for appealing to what I personally enjoy, but I still adored The Witcher 3 =)
I love that we have a mix of both though. I enjoy The Elder Scrolls more for appealing to what I personally enjoy, but I still adored The Witcher 3 =)
Defined character, hybrids are fine sometimes if I feel the game gives them enough personality do they don't feel like a self insert but more akin to improvising a character in a play.
Idk, I've always struggled to find games where the roleplaying feels authentic, for lack of a better word. Yes, being able to have choices sounds nice in theory, but certain issues crop up. A big one is I want to see as much content in a single playthrough, so I optimize the "right" choice or for games with morality systems, commit to good / bad. Another issue concerns romance dialogue trees; games have a knack for heteronormative af writing (maybe modern games do this, but I've never seen a "I don't swing that way" when women in games come onto me which is like, my most natural response?). I also find a lot of games with avatar have trouble establishing a strong narrative; when the player character is a self-insert, it's hard to generate good conflict when the MC can respond many different ways if they respond at all (this is the reason I dread narratives in Pokémon)--the best solution I've seen is have another character drive the plot forward with the self insert as a surrogate protagonist, but then I think the MC is mind of unnecessary so /shrug.
In the end, I have found just having a defined character, as boring as that is, to be the most enjoyable method.
Idk, I've always struggled to find games where the roleplaying feels authentic, for lack of a better word. Yes, being able to have choices sounds nice in theory, but certain issues crop up. A big one is I want to see as much content in a single playthrough, so I optimize the "right" choice or for games with morality systems, commit to good / bad. Another issue concerns romance dialogue trees; games have a knack for heteronormative af writing (maybe modern games do this, but I've never seen a "I don't swing that way" when women in games come onto me which is like, my most natural response?). I also find a lot of games with avatar have trouble establishing a strong narrative; when the player character is a self-insert, it's hard to generate good conflict when the MC can respond many different ways if they respond at all (this is the reason I dread narratives in Pokémon)--the best solution I've seen is have another character drive the plot forward with the self insert as a surrogate protagonist, but then I think the MC is mind of unnecessary so /shrug.
In the end, I have found just having a defined character, as boring as that is, to be the most enjoyable method.
Defined character usually allows for a much more focused story. With custom characters you also have at times disadvantages like them being mute or npc interactions not acknowledging any of the customizable elements which keeps the main character from really coming into their own as it's a reminder that you're just playing as a template
I chose "defined character," but if it's done well like in DA:I, an avatar can be really cool too. (My Porl King looking Dalish Lavellan was awesome, though it sucks they gave him an English accent and not an Irish one.)
Though my avatar here at Era might suggest otherwise, I really, really dislike silent protags.
Though my avatar here at Era might suggest otherwise, I really, really dislike silent protags.