This post is based on the three genres of characters and pointing out one that could be used to help produce a great game. Here are the three types as I see them: The Strong: This is the most used character genre in any game. These are the characters who affect the world in major ways though because of this they are usually the targets of attacks to bring them from their power. While most characters do not start this way they ussaully end in it. The Unseen: This character genre is the second most used character genre. The unseen has strength in its ability to hide and sneak up on its enemies. The problem with these people is that they must remain hidden because if they were shown they could put themselves in imminent danger. The Weak: This character genre is almost if not only used in the beginning of the game. The weak characters advantage is his weakness. A weak character is often overlooked and is able to make true friends more easily than other genre. This can make a weak character truly more powerful than any other character genre. I''d like to see a game where the hero is truly weak and stays that way through out the entire game. Do you think that be a neat idea? Comments anyone?

Do people without physical strength but plenty of cunning count as "The Weak"? if so, there are already plenty of games out there. If not, how does the main character.... you know....win?

How appropriate. You fight like a cow.

The character genre "The Weak" relies on its friendships with other characters to win. Other genres such as the Strong and Unseen rely on their own abilities and powers rather than friends and are often attacked because of their strength. The Weak is almost never the focus of an attack because of weakness but with their friendships sometimes with characters more powerful then them they are able to accomplish their goals. The Weak''s strength is in their dependence on others.

An example of a Weak character is a servant or perhaps a child. These are good examples of weak cvharacters. Note: A character is still considered weak if he doesn''t rely on only his own strength even if he is a king.

quote: Original post by LtKicker
The character genre "The Weak" relies on its friendships with other characters to win.

If those friendships are deliberately formed and exploited, doesn't that make him "The Strong"? He is applying his talent of friendship, just as one might apply their talent of cunning or physical strength.

EDIT: and even if his friends came to him purely randomly, obviously he's using his talent of leadership to get his friends to help him.

How appropriate. You fight like a cow.

[edited by - sneftel on July 29, 2003 2:57:28 PM]

The strong rely on themselves, the weak rely on friends, allies and more specifically god. Some of the ideas for this post came from the bible.

The strong will be humbled and the weak lifted up

They rely on friends, but in order for the game to be at all fun, they have to do work themselves in order for the game to be useful. Think about it: are they saying "Hey, guys, could you go defeat that evil overlord for me? He's going to destroy the world!" and then sitting back and relaxing (or, in the case of relying on God, replace "Hey, guys" with "O holy father"), or are they saying "Joe's in position; Frank, see if you can distract the guard!"?

RTS games are a good example of the latter; you have essentially no power yourself, but you direct friendly units to do stuff.

How appropriate. You fight like a cow.

[edited by - sneftel on July 29, 2003 3:16:04 PM]