Has anyone spotted a trend in character designs in the general gaming world?

[Dionysos]

This has been bugging me for a few weeks lately...

A thread has been discussed on this forum relating to FF's and how the main characters are increasingly conforming to a feminine look, and that several Japanese games are also for the same look.

Has anyone else noticed that many recent games from other areas have opted for the same image in its lead playable male characters in action games as well, but not feminine males, but short haired / shaven, tall strong males?

I guess it is a given in that that is probably the desired look for many males of the age.

Let me illustrate my point:

The apprentice from Star Wars: Force Unleashed:

Alec Mason from Red Faction: Guerrilla:

Cole McGrath from InFamous:

They're all pretty much trying to be David Beckham me thinks.


Just something I have observed.

It just seems that characters that look like this are on the up these days, with so many games with lead characters that look pretty similar now.



Has anyone else noticed this, or something similar? Or any other trends?

 

[Caedus]

I noticed a lot of games' overall character designs are basically based off either Final Fantasy, Halo, God of War, or Silent Hill. In the face, especially. A lot of RPGs can't help but knock off of FF for their base, since FF's characters look so different from other RPG series. Or at least that's my bit on things. Like, Demigod's art and characters look like God of War creatures and characters. Gears of War, I think the game's name is, looks to me like a more techie version of Halo. Left for Dead looks like a cross between Fighting Force *PS1, excellent game actually.*, and Resident Evil, which Silent Hill looks like, a lot. Fatal Frame reminds me of "D", another ps1 game in its creepiness. There's just a whole world of comparisons I could make, but I think developers only have so much room to work, with all their competitors making knockoff versions of other games. Nice topic, btw Argie.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

It becomes boring when you start seeing the same looking people over and over again, it loses originality completely >.> At least base your looks on Ronaldo, Torres someone like that >.> Although I hadn't really noticed it until you pointed it out xD Then again I don't own either of the latter two games so that'd be why.

 

[Sir Kenneth]

I don't really see the David Beckham similiarities, but I do see the archetypical military/tough guy look that has become the norm in most western developed action games. That's just the way the cookie crumbles I guess: In western games we usually get some generic rugged jarhead, and in Japanese games we usually get a metrosexual prettyboy with a funny haircut

 

[Freya]

Yes. They all seem to be Bulky skinheads lately. Chavs should notuth be allowed into thou gaming!

 

[SaShman]

I see what you mean, the 'shaved head' look seems to be the generic look for main characters in western games. To be honest I think it is a pretty boring look for a character and because so many games are using this look now; these characters are becoming less memorable in my opinion.

As for the David Beckham thing, I think it is quite possible that his look influenced the design for some (probably not all) of these characters to at least some extent.

Personally I think the guy in the first pic looks almost exactly like that guy from Prison Break.

 

[Clockwork]

I've noticed this "grizzled" look quite a bit. I suppose two things:

1. The look of the characters would depend on the personality of the character. (Usually conveyed to suit the mindset as close as possible, or in other instances to match the setting and/or backstory as a few of the examples there.)

2. Character plagiarism (which would be attributed to laziness on part of the developer, and of course much of the industry would seem to be based upon plagiarism. Of course the plagiarism itself could be unintentional.)

Of course this trend would only be attributed to these games which all share one or more similar characteristics. Many of them seem quite dark in nature.

And of course feminine looks in primary male characters has become a traditional staple for any Japanese RPG.

 

[Shu]

Prototype: Alex Mercer

Assassin's Creed: Altair or Desmond

Get the picture? This is how people will be doing it for generations.. just copying eachothers work. Get used to it. Notice the trends in First Person Shooters too? Getting a bit repetitive don't you think? Only so many world war games you can put out.

 

[Rey]

Judith from Tales of Vesperia on top and Myuria Tionysus from Star Ocean The Last Hope on the bottom. These 2 sexy women look alike like crazy! Same design

 

[Zerokku]

It becomes boring when you start seeing the same looking people over and over again

With Nomura as a character designer, it's not like we won't/haven't been seeing it in FF either =P

I agree that is is a bit of a disturbing/annoying trend. If only because none of the characters are memorable when they all blend together.

 

[Triceratops!]

Its just the generic tough guy image that become way to bland, I mean the onlt break i saw is Gordon Freeman with his Velma Dinkley glasses, but i would love seeing a scrawny nerd kicking a zombies butt :>

 

[Ethics]

In that first post, you forgot Niko Bellic from GTA4 whom fits perfectly into the category.

But, for the record, yes, you're right. All the characters ARE strikingly similar. Copying each other, maybe? That wouldn't really surprise me to be honest, most games lack originality anymore. It's really kind of...disapointing.

And, those pics were all awesome. =]