Character and personality

[EightBit]

Yeah, as unfortunate as it may be, it was to be expected, no?

Z-roe

[Metal_Slug]

I guess it was to be expected, but I didn't even mention the words 2D or 3D in my original post...

[Regus]

Originally posted by Metal_Slug
New stuff doesn't have that feel of likable characters and all that crap...

No, that’s just you being blasé about everything.

[EightBit]

*cough*

Yeah, I know what you mean, its strange these boards.

I even forgot to put my response to the original post. Sometimes it feels more important to respond to the "secondary" topic than it does the original one. As sucky as that can be.

And to reply to the original post.

Yes I agree, but I think its partly to do with the new technology. I think 3D wasnt ready to come out when it did. I think the mindset behind someone creating a game in 3D is usally in the wrong place too. I bet by the end of this generation, when designers and artists have a real handle on advanced real time 3D graphics, you'll see a return of personality. Games are already starting to show it so much more than the previous generation.

Its not even a 2D vs 3D thing. There were tons of 2D games that were copmpletely worthless in the personality department, then and now. Its just that 2D has been around longer, and had given the designers more time to become familier with it. If you've been a painter for ten years, and suddenly switch to sculpting, its gonna be very hard for you to get what you want to express into the sculpture right away. Like I said, given some time, it will come around.

Personality doesnt make or break a game. But its what makes me remember the game after ten years. Its what makes me enjoy the game that much more. It what makes me think about it when Im not playing it. Its what makes me smile when a character cracks a joke. Its what carries the emotion from the screen, to me. I dont think its an important aspect of a good game. But I do think its one of the most important aspects of a GREAT game.

Z-roe

[MechDeus]

Well, it would eventually come to 2D versus 3D because that's where a lot of personality lies, in how the characters stand, move, and look. With hand-drawn, believability is immediately stretched, and so we're willing to take in a bit more then we would if it was a realistic-looking 3D model.

Also, take a look at most sprites. Just look at their original static frame. Most are holding a position right off the bat, with an expression (if allowable) already helping to show who they are and what their personality might be. Many 3D models stand up perfectly straight with no real position or pose. If you were to black out the textures/bitmap, and get just the outline, the sprites would be much easier to recongnize at least 90% of the time just from how they stand.

Yes Despair, even Dante just stands there. His only personality is voiced and shown through cutscenes, he has no life in-game.

Or even take a look at KoF characters, and compare them to, say, Tekken. Tekken characters hold something roughly akin to their characters fighting style stance, and all pretty much walk the same. In KoF, all the characters have different stances that represent their character sometimes even over their fighting style and walk differently from everyone else, it adds to who they are and helps seperate them from all other fighters.

[supermario]

Be Jenet vs. any Dead or alive girl.....I think I know which one has more personality.

[piku]

Or even take a look at KoF characters, and compare them to, say, Tekken. Tekken characters hold something roughly akin to their characters fighting style stance, and all pretty much walk the same. In KoF, all the characters have different stances that represent their character sometimes even over their fighting style and walk differently from everyone else, it adds to who they are and helps seperate them from all other fighters.

Well you can't blame the technology for that. There is nothing in 3D that says you can't have a person walk distinctivly, or have a smirk, or cool stance or whatever.

[Shin Johnpv]

*Johnpv after his 666 post becomes Evil Johnpv and is consumed by the killing intent or dark hadou which ever you want to call it*



ok then compare it to the 3d troopers show

the point i was making was just cause its 3d doesnt mean its going to have less personality

one of the problems i had with the FF movie was that alot of it was mo cap and i think that kills alot of personallity i like hand animated things like A Bugs Life

i think in alot of gamers mind they dont know half of what goes into 3D art and art to quick to assume things and knock it

[rezo]

Originally posted by piku

I agree with you there too. I'll use another Final Fantasy as example. In Final Fantasy 6, the little sprites that you see in game are just dripping with personality, especially with all the little goofy animations they have in the game. Then you look at Amano's full detailed artwork, and it just rips the soul out of them, imho.

I disagree. Amano's stills do a god job of giving a sense of the character to his designs. Not the flamboyant sort of character that is common in RPGs, and when people think of character, but fitting nonetheless. I've never liked how Square handles his characters, from what I've seen. most recently, what was done with his FF9 designs for the main cast.

he seems like such a sad guy. "I don't know! I design the characters, but when they get in the game, they look so different! its very interesting!"

Kartia did a better in game translation of his characters. maybe other Square games have as well(gunhazard maybe?), but I haven't seen those.





and "Adventure" being used as the old sprite representative isn't fair to compare to FF7, if you're actually doing such things. 3D has been around much longer than anything on playstation.

[MechDeus]

Originally posted by rezo
I disagree. Amano's stills do a god job of giving a sense of the character to his designs. Not the flamboyant sort of character that is common in RPGs, and when people think of character, but fitting nonetheless. I've never liked how Square handles his characters, from what I've seen. most recently, what was done with his FF9 designs for the main cast.

he seems like such a sad guy. "I don't know! I design the characters, but when they get in the game, they look so different! its very interesting!"

My God, did you see what they did to Steiner? Amano had one bad-ass looking drawing! Granted, he was a comic relief character, but if he had still looked the way he did originally, he'd have been tons cooler. On the opposite side of the coin, I much prefer the final of Amarant, and think that one was awesome.