Defining "Character" in Video Games

Game Informer - 30 Characters Who Defined a Generation

Week 2 in our Great Literature Great Games class is centered around Character.  As in literature, video games develop characters with many different dimensions in order for the player to feel connected and immersed in the fictional world.  While some characters are cliche and fall flat, other characters are well rounded and are presented with unique physical and psychological characteristics, back story, and deep connections to the world around them.

Our focus question for this week is: How do video games develop characters?  (What are the similarities and differences to traditional literature?)

This week, students will be researching a variety of reviews on video games they have selected and posting discussions about how those reviewers analyze and comment on character in the game.  Additionally, students are creating their own video game characters with unique physical, sociological, and psychological characteristics.

During our game play sessions, students are analyzing character development through the games Heavy Rain, Uncharted 3, Alan Wake, and L.A. Noir.  Students, while playing, will track and analyze the physical, sociological, and psychological dimensions of the characters and determine how much "interactivity" plays in the development of the game characters.  Students will also determine if game play affects how much a player connects with the character. 

At the end of the week, students will write their unit reflection that synthesizes their knowledge of character development in games and literature.

Classroom Practice: Allow students to create their own video game characters that have specific physical, sociological, and psychological characteristics.  Students can present these characters to the class for discussion. 

Stay tuned for updates! 

Picture Link: www.gameinformer.com/p/decade.aspx