Relationship between Characters and Goals

In the previous tasked I looked into how worlds were created around the use of a character based structure. Creating the coherent world between narrative and environment with the use of characters. This time, I will be looking at how the characters are used to develop the story within games in more depth. How they relate to tasks/unfolding drama and how they react to actions. The way in which characters are used within different parts of the story, determines the outlook of the tale. Depending on how a figure reacts to something within the story, helps develop atmosphere and emotion. This creates a solid bond between narrative and the environment in which the story takes place, captivating the player into a believable and exciting world.

I was given to questions to describe this:

.What is the relationship between the character and the goal?

.Why does the character care? 

Understanding the connection between a character and an objective/goal tells a story within a game. There needs to be a strong bond between the two to show the importance of explaining narrative, without it action would be boring and lack emotional connection. I will use a real game example and use my current video game idea project to show how they compare.

Master Chief (Halo)

.What is the relationship between the character and the goal?

John 117 or known as the Master Chief is the last remaining Spartan hero to help defend earth against a hostile alien race. He is the only person who is skilled enough to help protect earth and therefore is the last remaining hope to save the universe. The Master chief is strong, agile and determined, it is with that in his nature that he is managed to survive and gain a reputation to be the savior of the world. However, with such burdens, John does not have a personality that matches to that standard. Although skilled, his attitude towards the fight is humorous and courageous. He is a daredevil and a joker, who takes risks that no others would, but in result show his stability within the story as a brave and lucky character. His particular attitude makes him more relative as a normal human being, that isn't just an outrageous super hero, he has attitude and a personality. He apposes questions to situations instead of just doing them, which makes John a believable and a more realistic character. It is with that personality you as the player feel more emotionally connected with the goals in the game. You begin thinking like John and start acting as if he would, approaching tasks with some level of sarcasm but in the back of your mind, taking it seriously with a courageous heart.

The Master Chief himself has a huge task to protect the world, with that the entire universe is in terror and ruin. John is the only character that brings the emotion of hope and happiness, even though it is approached with sarcasm or humour. He is passionate and determined to protect his people, but at the cost of taking risks as well. When you play as the Master Chief, you feel like an invincible and cocky super hero, with serious attitude and strength. His character is recognizable amongst all of us, unlike some heroes within films/video games. He isn't too far fetched or ridiculous, he is believable and likable making him one of the most iconic gaming figures to date.

.Why does the character care?

John cares because he has been trained to protect the universe. A military super machine that will defend earth and it's people at all costs. It is only with his help that earth will prevail, so his participation within the war is crucial. Also, within other parts of the Halo story, John had a squad with fellow Spartans that grew up and fought alongside him. But with the outcome of other battles related to the alien invasion, he lost all of his comrades, making him the last remaining super solider within the war. This affected his personality in different ways both negatively and positively. He became a stronger character and still kept true to his personality, but also suffered depression for the sake of being the only one left in existence. It is evident he yearns to save the universe for the sake of his fallen brothers, to be the one that prevailed, to do them proud. Although he generally does want to save the world, you can tell he is in it to prove his worth to his comrades. His missions have far more importance to him, to keep surviving and remaining victorious no matter what, to be himself and not lose courage. To be a Hero.

Zork (my own project)

.What is the relationship between the character and the goal?

Zork is a very isolated character within his world. His particularly eccentric personality and interests often detach him from reality, which encourages the outside world to avoid him, making him a rather lonely character. Depending on only his interests and imagination, Zork uses his mentally vibrant personality, to imagine worlds in which he is the most adored and famous being. The scenarios in which he imagines are to become the most renowned gaming legend of all time, where he will be a famous hero known by all. His goal is to obtain a priceless book known as 'The Games Master' said to make any gamer achieve 100% completion of every game ever made. This book is a well secured book that Zork daydreams over, in hopes that he will be the lucky guy to obtain it. With his imagination as his most useful asset, Zork warps himself into worlds in which help him get closer to the book of his dreams. In each world he goes into, he becomes a new hero, the one everyone loves and depends upon. He is his own master, and with that tool of his mind he can become anyone or anything he chooses to. He is not bounded by genre or art style, he becomes whoever who wishes to be. Making him invincible to anything that might stand in his way, he controls his mind and therefore he will always find ways to succeed. This relationship between the goal and the character adds a connection between who Zork really is and who he wishes he is, which is very relatable to a lot of gamers/people. Not in the sense of feeling 'alone', but having that feeling you were super, a Hero or something/someone with unimaginable skill. Zork is no real Hero, but he depends on his own strengths to feel comfortable about who he is, to be true to himself and not change to be something he is not. Having that personality to a character makes Zork believable and approachable to many players. You want him to prevail for the sake of himself and his emotions.

.Why does the character care? 


Zork's goal is important to him because he wants to be accepted for who he is, and not have to hide behind his interests in order to find acceptance. He believes being 'The Games Master' by obtaining that book, he will have all the attention he needs. Friends, fame, fortune and of course the girl. He has no limits, his mind is the important asset of his success, making him be any Hero/character he wants to be. Although we known of his true character in 'reality' we feel connected to him, to encourage him to become one with those imaginations. To have the feeling of bravery, invincibility and skill, to be a Hero. Not only does the character care, but we as the player do too.

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