Archetypes and stereotypes
When it comes to developing great characters for narratives, one of the first concepts we might consider is the application of archetypes.
Archetypal characters and characters that appear again and again within the stories we tell, from oral legends to literature, from cinema to video games. Archetypes work as a form of shorthand, helping audiences to make sense of the role and purpose of a character within a story. But archetypes can also overlap with stereotypes: characters that are repeatedly used to the point that they come to generalist the traits of a particular group.
What non-player characters in video games have created an impression on you? What archetype(s) do you think these characters fulfil?
Video Game Design and Development: Video Game Character Design
Video Game Design and Development: Video Game Character Design
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