So, looking at the Escapist's new banners and ads... [Mirror's Edge]

[Eiseman]

It's got me thinking about DICE's approach in marketing their new game. Basically, they're using their main character's physical appearance to draw interest.

A physical appearance that you'll likely never see in the actual game. Unless you come across a reflective surface or something. Who knows though, with a name like Mirror's Edge, maybe you'll come across a mirror or two along the way and get a chance to see the character that's being flaunted at you right now.

Anyway, my point is this. Should a game with a first-person perspective really put this much stock into your character's appearance?

 

[ace_of_something]

You could say the same thing about Master Chief and Halo.

 

[Cheesebob]

Yes, So theat the predominatly male audience can feel that they are playing either an attractive japanese women ( in the case of mirrors edge, anyway) and know who she looks like.

Although bioshock didn't do this

 

[Supernovajake]

Yes, So theat the predominatly male audience can feel that they are playing either an attractive japanese women ( in the case of mirrors edge, anyway) and know who she looks like.

Although bioshock didn't do this

Wasn't there a mirror somewhere in Bioshock?

 

[Fightbulb]

Well the problem with Mirror's Edge (and with a lot of first person shooters, really) is that there's not a lot of things you can show on a banner. Maybe some interesting environments, but that's about it.

On the other hand, I've never heard anyone complain about advertisements that show Gordon Freeman, and how many times do you see or hear him when you're playing Half-Life? And doesn't this go for a lot of shooters?

 

[MercFox1]

There was a flashback of a picture that showed what you relatively looked like, although, that WAS a forgery (your 'parents' didn't exist).

 

[Baby Tea]

I think Ace-Of-Something is onto something with his post:

You could say the same thing about Master Chief and Halo.

And same with Cheesebob:

...Although bioshock didn't do this

Emphasis is placed on Character appearance when said character actually HAS character, or a persona. You have to remember that you aren't YOU in this game, you're this character.

Games like Bioshock that don't do this don't do it because you are NOT a persona. Well, you are but you aren't. You're a nameless, faceless protagonist. With Mirror's Edge and Halo, you're more taking on a character's set persona.

Does that make sense?

 

[klc0100]

What better to associate your game with than your main protagonist whether you see them in the game or not its still the character you will be playing as and the story's revolving around (I assume).

 

[Xvito]

What better to associate your game with than your main protagonist whether you see them in the game or not its still the character you will be playing as and the story's revolving around (I assume).

Unless of course it's a second person game.

 

[Eiseman]

On the other hand, I've never heard anyone complain about advertisements that show Gordon Freeman, and how many times do you see or hear him when you're playing Half-Life? And doesn't this go for a lot of shooters?

It really does apply to a lot of first-person games, which is the reason I brought this up. But I'm not complaining, I'm just acknowledging the irony of using the appearance of a character you'll never actually see to sell your game.

Emphasis is placed on Character appearance when said character actually HAS character, or a persona. You have to remember that you aren't YOU in this game, you're this character.

Games like Bioshock that don't do this don't do it because you are NOT a persona. Well, you are but you aren't. You're a nameless, faceless protagonist. With Mirror's Edge and Halo, you're more taking on a character's set persona.

Does that make sense?

That makes a lot of sense, actually. Sometimes they want you to feel like you're controlling a character, sometimes they want you to feel like you ARE the character. This instance just happens to be the former.

 

[theEstablishedToad]

its sort of like that in schizm although its not great graphics

 

[KrossZer0]

What better to associate your game with than your main protagonist whether you see them in the game or not its still the character you will be playing as and the story's revolving around (I assume).

I think this is mostly the point. Most games try to have some sort of immersion factor and get the player to feel like they are someone else adventuring somewhere. Having a clear image of the character they are becoming for the player to envision seems like a naturally good idea.

Of course, one wonders how it would work the other way around, without providing an image so that the player can maybe just imagine its actually them doing those crazy acrobatics instead of pretending to be someone else.

 

[MercFox1]

Well, it has been noted that Faith is considerably different than most female protagonists; less endowed, no-nonsense demeanor, she almost comes off as vengeful in some of the trailers - to me, anyways. I think it's a great idea to utilize these differences, especially when everyone I've talked to has responded positively to Faith's character.

 

[wgreer25]

Well, it has been noted that Faith is considerably different than most female protagonists; less endowed, no-nonsense demeanor, she almost comes off as vengeful in some of the trailers - to me, anyways. I think it's a great idea to utilize these differences, especially when everyone I've talked to has responded positively to Faith's character.

I think many of you have had some very good comments about this. Baby Tea, you hit the nail on the head. And from an advertising standpoint, the character (weather you see them or not) is the face of the game. It is alway easier to relate to a face than a monster or a background. Especially if you are trying to get the player to assume the persona of the character. Bioshock, conversly, used the face of the character that portrayed the atmosphere in order to create a connection (the Big Daddy).

As to your specific comment about Faith and how she looks, I have had similar observations as to the reaction to her appearance. My wife really likes the character and when I showed her the demo, she wanted to play (she is not really a gamer, Wii only). There have been other threads about games that apeal to female gamers but don't insult them by making things like a baby sitting simulator (don't laugh, it's real). Not only does Mirror's Edge have the potential to have a believable character that would appeal to the female gamer, but also make a good game for the male gamer. Win/Win, if the game is good.

 

[Lemony]

What I found nice with Mirror's Edge is that you can hear Faith SPEAK. Yeah the main character speaks! Faith was actually not the main character but they rethought it and she was a much more wanted character. So to kinda make a point they advertise her and the eye tattoo as a way to market the game.

I just hope that EA doesn't pull that DRM bullshit that they did with Spore and Mass-Effect.

 

[zirnitra]

It's got me thinking about DICE's approach in marketing their new game. Basically, they're using their main character's physical appearance to draw interest.

A physical appearance that you'll likely never see in the actual game. Unless you come across a reflective surface or something. Who knows though, with a name like Mirror's Edge, maybe you'll come across a mirror or two along the way and get a chance to see the character that's being flaunted at you right now.


Anyway, my point is this. Should a game with a first-person perspective really put this much stock into your character's appearance?

well, believe it or not it's actually quite hard to depict someone free running in a first person view in the form of an un animated banner.

the banner is trying to do nothing of the sort, especially considering the girl isen't that attractive.

 

[Eiseman]

well, believe it or not it's actually quite hard to depict someone free running in a first person view in the form of an un animated banner.

the banner is trying to do nothing of the sort, especially considering the girl isen't that attractive.

I never said anything about physical attractiveness. Whether you think Faith is hot or not, she is definitely designed to catch your eye, what with the stylish body art and bright red gloves and shoes (the latter of which will, to their credit, be seen in the game itself).

But personally, I find that the red shoeprint on the left banner here serves just as strong symbolism as the punkish chick on the right, if not more. I mean, what more would you really need to say about a game that revolves around sticking it to the government via running, than with a graffiti-style shoeprint?

 

[Anarchemitis]

You could say the same thing about Master Chief and Halo.

Or Freeman.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

OK so she's the Mirror's Edge "protagonist that you put on the cover."

Am I missing something?