Poll: Silent or Talking Main Character?
- Thread starter ObnoxiousTwat
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As I thought, it depends on the game they're in, and how well the story is developed. Half-Life works well when it's a constant series of being the hero without a voice. Deus Es wouldn't work if Denton didn't talk to people. As long as it's done well, neither will detract from the story.
well as most people know fps games generally have muted main characters (halo CE, half-life,ect.) but i can remeber a game on the original X-Box. Star Wars: Clone Commando. which came out when i was a bit younger than i am now, but i remember that being the first fps game that i play where the main character had a voice, and not just like or two lines i mean like an accual script. you may say "o that was a terrible game, or he didnt have that many lines" i will blatantly ignore them because that was my favorite fps game for the original xbox and is my own opinion.
Main characters have to talk...
Without it you cannot identify with them.
That's the same as when movie main characters wouldn't talk...
Forget that idea...
Yes, you are playing the character...
But THE character has a Name, a Face, (mostly) a personality, so why shouldn't he/she be not talking?
Doesn't make sense...
Is just now, that this fact ruined Half-Life2 for me...
Alyx is talking to you all the time and you are staring at her boobs, saying nothing...
Ever tryed that in real life?
Immersion is one of the hardest things to achieve in a game...
But if you suceed, the fans will love you...
And no, it won't help, if the main character is silent as a fish...
Without it you cannot identify with them.
That's the same as when movie main characters wouldn't talk...
Forget that idea...
Yes, you are playing the character...
But THE character has a Name, a Face, (mostly) a personality, so why shouldn't he/she be not talking?
Doesn't make sense...
Is just now, that this fact ruined Half-Life2 for me...
Alyx is talking to you all the time and you are staring at her boobs, saying nothing...
Ever tryed that in real life?
Immersion is one of the hardest things to achieve in a game...
But if you suceed, the fans will love you...
And no, it won't help, if the main character is silent as a fish...
This is sort of a tough one. Some games work well with talking characters, some work well with the mutes and Jak does it well transitioning from Game 1 to Game 2 with Daxter poking jokes about it. The best thing about mute protagonists, no opinion. They do things on your basis of thought and preference (within the game's linear-to-non-linear standards).
Plus, there's too many games where mute characters would of been preferred, as they really shouldn't open their noise holes.
Plus, there's too many games where mute characters would of been preferred, as they really shouldn't open their noise holes.
I've never really been one to care about immersion in a video game. I look at video games to be a medium similar to film - and the immersion that comes from a film is not generated by having you be the protagonist. Nor is this the case in literature. We have a greater understanding or greater insight in to the protagonists mind set, emotions and decisions when the story is told from the frame of reference of that character, or when there is an omnipresent narator than we would were we presented with the character from the frame of reference of a different character.
This is, in my opinion, the same effect that we get when we are given control of a character in a videogame. The character not talking shouldn't be what creates the immersion, if the story of the game is good enough, the characters are compelling and you are genuinely interested in what happens to them, that is what creates immersion. I don't think I have ever come across a game where a character spoke and I thought the game was worse for it.
This is, in my opinion, the same effect that we get when we are given control of a character in a videogame. The character not talking shouldn't be what creates the immersion, if the story of the game is good enough, the characters are compelling and you are genuinely interested in what happens to them, that is what creates immersion. I don't think I have ever come across a game where a character spoke and I thought the game was worse for it.
Uh, generally I'd have to go for speaking, but the dialogue needs to be well constructed and the voice acting good. Dialogue doesn't ruin the immersion, even if its someone elses voice I can still think my way into my characters shoes. The Oblivion motto of "live another life in another world" comes to mind. (an odd example seeing as your character is also bizarrely silent in that adventure too, but Fallout 3 was made by the same people and I enjoyed it more simply because of the dialogue options.) Silence actually harms immersion for me by limiting my interaction with the game world. For example, in Fable 2, you get a couple of expressions and other than that the character is completely silent. I'd rather have long dialogue trees than wierd silence. Imagine if you could actually barter with shop-keepers for lower prices, flirt and develop relationships, and hold developed conversations with flexible conversation options. Sounds a hell of a lot better and more immmersive than flexing your arms till the prices (and pants) drop. However, silence is better than really bad, repetitive dialogue with rubbish voice acting, and it is better for your character to keep his mouth shut and be thought an idiot than to open it and remove all doubt!
I think characters should indeed talk. With the occasional exception of first person shooters. In anygame besides a fps your playing a character. In fps's since it's FIRST PERSON. Your assuming the position of that character. And i don't like people talking for me 
But in all seriousness it doesn't REALLY matter. Depends on the game really and the mood that's being created by the devs.
But in all seriousness it doesn't REALLY matter. Depends on the game really and the mood that's being created by the devs.
I agree with Valve's opinion that a silent protagonist makes the game more immersive (especially from a first person perspective).
I tend to prefer a character who speaks. Even in RPGs, I find it encourages immersion rather than ruin it. One of the worst silent offenders is the hero in Fable II, who expresses no sign of emotion at even the worst things he could possibly live through.
I hate silent protagonists. They're almost impossible to do well. I think Baiten Kaitos found a good medium: the protagonist was not silent, but you were his guardian spirit. The characters would occasionally turn towards the screen and ask your opinion (and at point, stick you in them middle of a huge plot twist).
I always prefer talking, unless past games have aleady established a character as mute. Case in point, Samus Aran. Voice can only help charcterize a character. If a person is mute, they at least need to appear from time to time visually. Samus may be mute, but you can learn a bit about what she feels when you see her in some cut sceans, even more so when she lacks a helmet.
Mute and faceless (besides box art) characters on the other hand are dull. Just vessels to carry me in my wave of destruction with no emotion. Examples: Gordon Freeman and Jack from BioShock. Is Gordon really a good guy, or is he just forced to do what he does because the map wron't let him go in any other direction? If he could talk and could state "I'll help the resistance" then it would be understandable. Does Jack really want Fontain dead so he can escape, or does he want to stay in Rapture because he is insane?
There is nothing wrong with linear maps to force you into a certain direction, but this only works if a character is justifying why they follow the linear path. If they don't because they lack personality, too many questions are raised.
Mute and faceless (besides box art) characters on the other hand are dull. Just vessels to carry me in my wave of destruction with no emotion. Examples: Gordon Freeman and Jack from BioShock. Is Gordon really a good guy, or is he just forced to do what he does because the map wron't let him go in any other direction? If he could talk and could state "I'll help the resistance" then it would be understandable. Does Jack really want Fontain dead so he can escape, or does he want to stay in Rapture because he is insane?
There is nothing wrong with linear maps to force you into a certain direction, but this only works if a character is justifying why they follow the linear path. If they don't because they lack personality, too many questions are raised.
It all depends on the game the character is in. If the game just once to tell a story, with you as it's audience, the main character should talk. For example: almost every jRPG. Yet, if the game wants you to be immersed in it, if it wants you to actually feel like the hero, then the main character should be silent. That way it's easier for the player to identify himself with the main character. For example Link in the Zeldagames, or the hero/bad guy from the Fallout and Elder Scrolls games.
Depends on the situation really. When at the end of Dead Space, Isaac is told some bad news. He does a mime, which I fond hilarious and it ruined the mood...