Döm mig efter mitt utseende : En studie om tolkningar av karaktärsdesign i spel

Sammanfattning

You might have heard that one is not supposed to judge others based on appearance. This study does the opposite, in order to examine how players interpret video game characters based on only their character design. In doing this, the study aims to create an understanding of how characters are received by their intended audience, and how this can impact and inform character design in games. This study takes a look at the diverse characters from the science fiction strategy game Stellaris by combining them with some of the traits, or “ethics”, that can be assigned in-game. Previous research on the topic shows that the personality perceived in fictional characters is in part based on their appearance, and that being able to identify with said characters is important for players. The research question this study aims to answer is; “Which factors can be identified to explain why certain character portraits get associated with certain personal traits, and how can this affect the creation of character design for game designers?” Answers for this question have been sought by conducting a survey as well as five interviews with Stellaris players. Our results revealed three themes that encapsulate the core underlying factors in how a character is perceived and evaluated; Instinct & Threat Evaluation, Recognition, and Past experiences & Cultural Influences. Associations to previous experiences or other media seem to have a big influence on how players perceive characters, and what kind of associations someone might have to an appearance can completely change their overall judgment of it. Because of this, it can be difficult to predict how different players might interpret character designs if one is not very familiar with who those players are. A familiarity with the target demographic should make it easier to predict how a character design might be received. The results of this study will hopefully offer a useful insight into how players perceive and interpret fictional characters, as well as aid character designers when designing with specific goals in mind.