ABSTRACT
Writing characters for video games present some unique challenges. Standard writing advice encourages strong, clear characters, but this is complicated in games where the audience is making decisions for characters. William Harms, who writes for comics and games, breaks down the essential parts of building a believable world view and backstory for characters, and provides examples of how to show that depth in-game. He explains how to make good use of a character’s strengths and weaknesses, and tackles the problem of aligning character motivations with player motivations. He emphasizes the importance of putting the player character in the position of driving the story – as opposed to helplessly dragged along – and making sure the antagonist can plausibly see themselves as the hero of their own story. He encourages partnering with actors in the creation of characters when possible, and collaborating with others to allow them to add their richness and depth to characters. Exercises at the end provide an opportunity to practice necessary skills for building strong characters in games.
