Examples of Great Character Designs

Let's have a look at some examples of good character designs, shall we?

1. The Legend of Zelda

In addition to one of the most iconic characters in gaming history, the Zelda franchise features a plethora of unique and imaginative characters in every new iteration. The series is also noted for utilising a variety of different aesthetic styles, such as Wind Waker's toon-like cel-shading and Skyward Sword's impressionistic world

Promotional artwork for the Zelda 25th Anniversary, showing all the different designs for Link over the years

Image Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A2wcmK7bTOw-_N1q1iWM4VafUCe35P58HBZGYrP_opZiLTlzEuPMxYgG_d-IunkWNBxOMaO3gICp7pLswo70pqILG9xbs54uS1U5uJMsA4KFCAuV9J934EKVlc15ncfpDSwPIAG0mgY/s1600/Zel25Pro3.JPG

2. Metal Gear Solid

The Metal Gear franchise features a number of memorable characters, with many reflecting realistic military, streamlined futurism or even a mix of the two. Additionally, these designs look even more distinctive through the artwork of Yoji Shinkawa and Ashley Wood

Renders of the cast of Metal Gear Solid 4

Image Source: http://media.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/files/2011/12/Metal_gear_solid4_12.jpg

Artwork of Solid Snake and Liquid Snake by Yoji Shinkawa

Image Source: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=391356&d=1213483340

Artwork of Solid Snake by Ashley Wood

Image Source: http://tecnoslave.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/metal-gear-solid-ashley-wood-wallpaper.png

3. Assassin's Creed

Despite the fact that they share several aspects of their design, the multiple protagonists of Assassin's Creed each look right at home within the historical settings that they appear. Meanwhile, the many other characters players interact with all feel authentic within their own settings

Altair, Ezio and Connor, the protagonists of the Assassin's Creed franchise

Image Source: http://images5.alphacoders.com/327/327599.jpg

4. Team Fortress 2

Using a combination of a limited yet vibrant colour aesthetic and unique shapes, the eight playable characters of Team Fortress 2 are easily distinguishable from one another, making it easy to identify a particular class' traits from its design alone.

The playable characters in Team Fortress 2

Image Source: http://orange.half-life2.com/images/screens/tf2/TF2_Screen01.jpg

5. Halo

With his distinctive helmet, Master Chief has quickly become one of the most recent gaming icons. The series is also noted for it's contrasting designs between the human and Covenant forces

Halo protagonist Master Chief, with 3 Elites

Image Source: http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20070731213932/halo/images/1/15/One_Spartan_and_Three_Sangheilis.jpg

The Spartan Team from Halo Reach

Image Source: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/09/halo-reach-review-top.jpg

6. Disney/ Pixar

Disney (and their 3D studio Pixar) have both produced so many memorable characters that it is almost impossible to choose one above the others as an example. Each of their creation exudes a charm and personality that few others can create, enabling people of all ages to enjoy them

Assorted Disney characters as they appear in Disney Infinity

Image Source: http://bostonherald.com/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/media/ap/22812d402d2e46dab08fdf849603baa9.jpg?c=fc61e5870566e048210fcd72d21eb32d

7. God of War

Like Master Chief, the brutal white-and-red visage of Kratos has become a recognisable figure within the games industry, while the many characters of the series all look right at home within the mythological Greek world that the games are set, while still reflecting the splendour and brutality of those myths

Official artwork of Kratos from God of War III

Image Source: http://images.wikia.com/godofwar/images/f/f2/Wallpaper_god_of_war_3.jpg

8. Bioshock

Despite the total contrast between their respective games, each of the characters within the two Bioshock games manage to reflect their setting, the time period and the themes presented. The Big Daddys, for instance, display not only the anachronistic deep sea setting, but also a mix of the brutality and gruesome dehumanisation with the tainted innocence and themes of parenthood present within Rapture

Promotional image of a Big Daddy and Little Sister from Bioshock

Image Source: http://www.eliteonlinemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bioshock.jpg

Promotional image of Booker Dewitt and Elizabeth from Bioshock Infinite

Image Source: http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/misc/movies/gsm_169_bioshock_infinite_multi_review_032513_09_640.jpg

And I think I'll leave it there. Just to clarify, these are just a few examples that I personally think have good designs. It isn't all of them, mind; I could name a lot more, but then we'd be here all day. In my next post, I think I'll give a few examples of BAD designs

Initial Thoughts and Mind-Map

Ok, it's been almost a week since I started this thing; it's high time I actually started adding some content to it... So, let's do that.

For my Masters, I've decided to focus on Character Design, as it is one of my strongest skills as far as Games Design is concerned, as well as being a subject I'm particularly interested in. After discussing what direction I could go with this with Josh, I've created this mind-map detailing my thoughts so far

Just in case you can't read any of that, here's a quick rundown:-

• Initial Question: What is good Character design? - A bit vague and generic, I know, but you have to start somewhere

• Examples of Good Designs - Just a few examples of games/ series that I deem to have great character designs: Zelda, Dead Space, Disney etc. More on those in my next post.

• Styles/ Faces - The first two areas of character design I want to look into; aesthetic style and faces. How far do these contribute to character design?

• Iterative designs - Next is how characters change from one iteration to the next (e.g. the designs of the different protagonists in Assassin's Creed). What are the common elements? What stayed the same? What changed and why?

• Redesigns - Next I intend to to look at redesigns (where an established design is completely changed). How far should we go when redesigning characters? Do we just update the old design or give it a complete overhaul? Which major characters have been redesigned over the years? What was the reaction of fans and how did this affect the game?

• Icons - Speaking of established characters, there are many that can be described as icons e.g. Mario, Metal Gear's Snake, Doctor Who's Daleks etc. How did they manage this? Is it due to the strength of their design or something else like nostalgia? What about 'Lost' icons, like Sonic and Crash Bandicoot? Where did they go wrong? Is it all a matter of good IP management or is it the strength of their character designs? 

I'll admit, this mind-map has been refined quite a bit. As you can see, I've not only identified some areas to look into, but I've also decided on an order in which to look at them, starting with the ones that have less potential and gradually moving onto the ones with the most promise. In any case, though, I think I have a good idea where I'm going with this.

First Post

Ok, first post, better start with an introduction...

My name is Sean Gannon and I'm an aspiring artist who is hoping to make a living in the games industry. I've recently finished a 3-year course in Games Design at Futureworks, Manchester, for which I was awarded a first-class Honours degree, and I'm now enrolled on the Masters Degree at the University of Central Lancashire.

In case the title wasn't a dead giveaway, this blog will be an online journal of my research and studies during the MA, so expect a lot of posts showing findings, analysis and artwork.
...or don't. Truth is, this isn't the first time I've had to write a blog for my studies and I have a bad habit of not keeping them up to date, often leaving it all until the last minute or forgetting about it entirely. In other words, I will TRY to keep this thing up to date, but don't be too surprised if I don't...

At any rate, there should be some interesting content ahead, so be sure to keep posted!