原文作者：Herbert Llanas  译者：Megan Shieh

角色的塑造在电子游戏中起到了至关重要的作用。他们可以推动剧情的发展，同时增强玩家的浸入感。那么，我们该怎么做才能够创造出一个令人信服的游戏角色呢？

虽然看起来好像很复杂，但实际上这个过程可以非常地简单。以下7条建议能够让你在不知不觉中创造出一个既迷人又独特的游戏角色。

The Witcher 2(from icili)

1.TA的任务是什么？

不同的游戏角色会有不同的任务，他们相互合作，携手编织出开发者意图讲述的故事。每个角色的任务都必须棱角分明，否则TA的存在就没有意义。

如果已经有一个写好的、完整的故事，那么你的工作就会很轻松；反之，如果游戏中的故事还不完整，那么你的工作就不会这么容易了，因此你需要开始设法创造出一个能够与整个故事相辅相成的角色。

2. 选择一个性别

角色的性别取决于游戏的类型以及故事的需求。如果游戏是基于一个已经写好的剧本，而且所有的角色都已经创建好了，那么从根本上来说，你只需要遵照剧本的指示就可以了。

然而如果你是从零开始来书写一个故事，那么就必须考虑到男性或女性角色在故事中的作用。值得思考的是，几乎所有的游戏里都至少有一位女性角色。

3. 塑造角色的性格

平淡无奇的性格远远比不上个性鲜明的性格。后者会激励玩家独立思考，并与之产生共鸣。你可以给游戏角色注入各种各样的性格特质，TA可以是好斗的、安静的、反思性的、忧郁的、善良的，等等等等。

记住，角色的个性必须要与故事设定相符，否则整个剧情将会面临杂乱无章的风险。作为设计师，你可以创造出一些紧张时刻，然后借机展现每个角色的作用、性格特征，等等。这样的话，玩家就不会对游戏感到厌烦。

4. 优缺点/优势和弱点

游戏角色的优势和弱点与TA的心理特征密切相关。例如，如果TA是一个性格敏感的人，那么这恰恰就是TA的弱点，因为TA很容易在感情上受到的伤害。许多开发者错误地认为没有性格缺陷的角色才是最好的。但事实并非如此，因为弱点越多，TA就越吸引人。

如果这是一款扣人心弦的游戏，需要设计出许多意料之外的局面，那么一位弱点多过优势，或弱点和优势一样多的角色就能给整个故事情节带来一个全新的维度，因为TA会经常遇到麻烦。越是聪明的角色就越显得无趣，因为TA的人设已经被聪明填满了，根本就没有犯傻的空间。如果游戏角色有些笨手笨脚的话，玩家们可能还会觉得很搞笑。

但话又说回来，这始终取决于你自己的想法和具体的游戏情节。仔细研究一下角色的背景，然后TA的优势和弱点就会自己慢慢浮现出来了。

5. 建立关系

除非TA的人设是“独来独往”，否则就不得不与游戏中的其余角色交互。游戏中的关系，就像现实生活中的关系一样，可以是有益的，也可以是有害的。“其余角色会喜爱TA，还是厌恶TA？TA是不是游戏中的主要角色？”你需要找到这些问题的答案。

6. 首要角色还是次要角色？

游戏角色既可以主导剧情也可以衬托其他角色。如果这是一款RPG，那么这一步骤绝对是至关重要的；但如果这是一款第一人称射击游戏（FPS），相对来说它就没那么重要了。总而言之，赋予每个角色不同的目标以及达到目标的手段。

7. 将主要角色用作核心支柱

如果这是你为这一款游戏创造的第一个角色，那么你将会需要创造出另外的几个角色。最为简单的方法就是先创造出游戏中的主要角色，然后再创造出塑造和完善其个性的其余角色。

听起来好像很复杂，但实际操作起来并没有那么困难，所以你不用太过担心。如果你有能力创造出第一个角色，那么就肯定能够继续创造出更多的角色。

结论

还记得《最终幻想 XV》里的Noctic Lucis Caelum吗？他估计是有史以来最优秀的游戏角色之一，设计师们在这方面投入了大量的精力。他的深度、魅力和风度使得他深受玩家的喜爱。通过适当的锻炼，你一定也能够创造出一个像他这样的角色。

在塑造角色的过程中，最大的禁忌就是抄袭现有角色。首先，这是不道德的。其次，电子游戏爱好者一眼就能看穿你的小伎俩。第三，你不会从中学到任何东西。“原创性”是角色塑造的关键要素之一。你需要利用自有的资源，自己独立创作。

我们真心希望上述内容可以帮助到你。

本文由游戏邦编译，转载请注明来源，或咨询微信zhengjintiao

Characters are crucial in a videogame. They drag the plot forwards and infuse it with a sense. There are fantastic games with a minimal number of characters – Dear Esther and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, for instance, but roleplaying games require a multitude of them. If you’re at the start line of your career in videogame design, you are probably wondering how to create a compelling character. Your task is no less important than that of a writer, in this case.

Even though it looks awfully complicated, the process can actually be pretty simple. Use the following 7 advices and you’ll be able to come up with a gorgeous, unique character before you know it.

1. Assess What the Role of the Character will Be

Different characters have different roles and together they weave the story the game aims at recounting. You cannot build a character that won’t serve a clean-cut role in the videogame, because it would be useless filler.

If the story is already done, your job got a lot easier, but if it’s not, you should not take it for granted. See how it turns out and start working on a character that complements the overall story.

2. Pick a Gender

The gender of your character really depends on what type of game it will be in, as well as on what the story requires. If the game is based on a script and all character are created, at least on paper, you only have to follow the guidelines there.

If you’re creating the story from square one, however, you’ll have to think of what purpose a male or female character will serve in it. There is seldom a video game without at least a female character. Some food for thought.

3. Start Building up the Personality of the Character

A bland character is nowhere near as successful and likeable as one that has a powerful personality. The latter will make players think for themselves and also identify with them. There is a virtually endless array of personality traits you can infuse your character with. He/she can be aggressive, peaceful, reflective, morose kind etc… – whatever you want.

Keep in mind that the personality of your character must go with the story, not against the grain, because you risk rendering the entire plot unintelligible. Play the psychologist and come up with some moments of tension where each of your characters will show what it has been made of. This way, the game won’t be a tedious bore.

4. Pros and Cons/ Strong Points and Weaknesses

These go hand in hand with the psychological traits of the character. If he/she is tender, for example, his/her weakness is precisely that, because the character will be prone to being hurt emotionally by others.  Many game developers make the mistake of thinking that an unflawed character is the best. That’s wrong, because the more weaknesses it will have, the more fascinating it will be.

If the game is neck-break action and requires a lot of unpredictable situations, a character that has more flaws than strong points, or an equal number, will be able to give the entire plot a new dimension, because he/she will get into trouble more often than not. Super-intelligent characters are often as insipid as they are intelligent, because they leave no room for clumsiness, which can be hilarious in a game. But then again, it’s up to you and the plot of the game you’re working on. Think of the character’s background, and the strong points and weaknesses will kind of start to reveal to you on their own.

5. Build Relationships

Unless the character is set to be a loner, it will need to be in contact with all the other characters in the game. Relationships in the game, just like in real life, can be either beneficial or damaging. Will he/she be liked by the other characters or loathed? Will he/she be a catalyst for the future of the rest of the “cast”? These are some of the questions you will need to provide answers to.

6. Leading or Support Character?

A character can lead the plot or support the rest of the characters. This’ll be very important to the overall story, so make sure you don’t skip this step. If the game is an RPG, this aspect right here is absolutely crucial. If it’s a FPS, not so much. Just don’t make all characters too similar to each other. Endow them with different objectives and means to attain them.

7. Expand the Character into Satellite-Characters

If this is the very first character you’ve developed for the game, you’ll need a couple of other ones. The easiest way to do this is finish your main character then create characters that mold on and complement its personality, until you’ve gone full circle.

This sounds a little more difficult than it really is, so don’t lose too much sleep over it. If you’ve created a character, rest assured you’ll be able to create more.·

Concluding Remarks

Do you remember Noctic Lucis Caelum of Final Fantasy XV? He’s probably one of the best characters ever created. As you might expect, a lot of effort was poured into it by the designers. He’s got depth, charisma and mannerisms that make him compelling. With exercise, you will be able to create a character like him with little to no hassle. One thing you should never ever do is rip off existing characters.

First of all, it’s unethical. Second of all, videogame enthusiasts will be able to see through it quicker than you think and third of all, you won’t be learning a thing on your own. Originality is one of the key-elements in good character design. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to build that character if you do it all on your own, with your own resources. （gamasutra.com  ）