What if they're a loser?

[ShiraiJunichi]

Would you enjoy a game where the player character is a bit of a loser?

Ok, maybe loser is a bit strong (or... maybe not...). If the main character was antisocial and depressed, would that turn you off to the game? Would you think "tch- that person deserves to be alone"? Or, do you think you could empathize, even just a little?

Would they need really good reasons for being the way they are?

Would you be able to put yourself in their shoes? Or would you dissociate yourself from them, and view the story from the outside?

[EwanG]

Given the popularity of "Welcome to the NHK", I think there's a market for "losers"

[monele]

Agreed with the comparison to NHK... Except that at times, I think NHK pushes it too far and I end up thinking "ok... you're really *too* stupid here."
Something nice would be to feel we are helping the character through our choices maybe. We *do* need some kind of reward.
So yea, just don't make it a total loser

[F.I.A]

I don't reallly mind loser characters, but if the characters does not stop being a loser or is a real filth, I might have problem trying to relate myself to him. For example, I really have problem trying to feel in Shiki's role in Tsukihime.

But true as Monele said, NHK gives me the "Oh man, that is really really stupid."

[DrakeNavarone]

I myself am an NHK fan, so I'd definitely play it. I do agree with monele that sometimes Satou (the main character) is just too unbelievably stupid, but even the other characters, while having more sense, aren't that much better off, and they really make the show shine (Yamazaki is the best, hands down). So yeah, losers are fine, but don't take it too far, or it'll just be a turn off.

I think you should at least have an understandable reason why your character is (or has become) this way. It doesn't necessarily have to be a great or even good reason, but the audience should at least get why and maybe empathize a bit with the character. This isn't necessary for every aspect of your character, though. I mean, some people just aren't that social, that's simply who they are, but to become depressed for no reason, that kind of thought is... well, depressing, don't you think?

[musical74]

Ah, now this is an interesting topic!

I've never seen NHK so I can't draw on that for a comparison, but I tend to prefer main character to be more clueless than actual loser. Not to say that I DON'T like the loser mentality....just...the way that the main character in Season of the Sakura is played out, it gives a great idea on *boy, you are clueless about women, aren't you?!* and it makes for a fun game.

Regarding the loser part...it depends on WHY the character's a loser. Was it a few bad choices? Just couldn't get ahead? Had no motivation? So long as it's not *I'm a loser because I choose to be* I probably wouldn't mind it =)

[ShiraiJunichi]

Alright- my fears are put to rest. I just started to have doubts. I guess I've read my script too many times, and it was getting depressing.

I've never seen NHK, but it looks like my character isn't even close to along those lines. And he has reasons. And he's not so much a loser as he is a loner. (though, I guess some would classify those as synonyms >_< ) So, I don't think I have to worry too much- which is good. Because I was beginning to wonder whether or not anyone would sympathize with the character.

[DaFool]

Its sort of the nature of the medium to have tedious internalized monologues which befit introverted characters more, so that's expected.

Animation-related media tend to have more loner type personalities (even with the girls), because it's just too much effort (and too expensive) to design multiple characters unlike in live action where you can just hire extras to pretend to be the main characters' friends.

So for cost-cutting, stories seem to be shrunk to a minimal cast of characters just sufficient enough to tell the story, and the dialogues reflect this. Note that monologues become the norm while trialogues and quatrologues rarely occur.

Now as for the character being a loser, it seems that most harem stories have this (School Days, etc.), so it might actually be refreshing to have someone kick butt. But don't make him too good or it might turn off the target otaku audience.

[Glasskitten logged out]

I thought harem-genre stories had to have losers as protagonists. I even made a joke about it in my (too crappy for public viewing) school project.

In other news, when worrying about people sympathizing with loners...well, you never know who might be playing the game. Some people are loners in real life.
(And some of us are just weird. I bet nobody expected Agent Smith and the Midwich Cuckoos to receive any sympathy, let alone empathy...)

[monele]

I thought harem-genre stories had to have losers as protagonists.

Shuffle has a guy who's quite witty I think, and it made things quite fun.

[Blue Lemma]

I think it depends on how the protagonist is a loser. There are so many different types and degrees. If he's a loser because he deals drugs, shoots BB-guns at small animals, and whatever else...well, that might actually be interesting, but I still wouldn't like it XD

I think a loser-type that the player can identify with is better... but then what does that imply about the player?

[Recca Phoenix]

Umakai in Lime-iro (the anime) was sort of a loser.
Same with Watanuki in xxxHOLiC.
I think if it's not overdone, it really gives a character some "real-ness."

However, there's nothing I hate more than when a character complains about a perceived "problem" that really doesn't exist or is kinda dumb. *cough*Miaka*cough*Fushigi Yugi......

There's a balance.