For my final in my Games and Society class, I teamed up with some of my classmates to design a short game utilizing the concepts we learned from the class. I was responsible for character designs and art. I worked with the writers to help develop the personality and appearance of the characters.
You can try out the short build for the game here: click this link!
Here are the characters, they each have a color that symbolically represents them and their character.
Gray – Main playable character (MC), Shane Cecilia Borne.
We decided to have her dressed in 80’s office fashion. We opted for pants and the closed coat to give a more “detective” look.
A main concept that included on the MC was a pair of round sunglasses that she wears all the time. These block her eyes most of the time, except for some key moments. She is essentially doesn’t know who she is and at the same time, trying to hide who she is (the meaning behind this changes based on player actions).
The MC also has a gray color palette, compared to the bright and colorful palettes of the other characters. This symbolizes her monotone lifestyle, but also how she’s essentially a blank slate at the beginning of the game.
Yellow – Main Character’s uncle, Garrick D. Westley.
I wanted to make him look friendly and personable due to his role of helping the MC by utilizing his connections. I made him a middle-aged man around his 50’s-60’s, aging but still a bit round. He’s also charismatic, which is seen through his well-done hair style, a remnant of his 1950’s pompadour and a soft smile. Who wouldn’t trust such a good guy like this?
I also made him yellow as it symbolizes his friendliness and jolly personality, but also that you should be cautious of him as well. There is a reason why he has so many connections.
Orange – Ludwig Ferdinand Bosee or “Mr. Bosee”
The main character’s boss. He takes his job seriously and has a “tough love” relationship with the MC. He also used to be a detective until one case ended his career, so I wanted to evoke a tired but still about business kind of look. He’s dressed well but also disheveled with a loose tie and messy hair.
Mr. Bosee was once a detective himself, but there was one particular case that made him resign. He’s very much against the MC doing on-field detective work, but still tries to guide her on the correct path.
Other characters:
Pink – Matilda Burga “The Lady In Pink,” Murder Victim, 1980’s pop-star
Blue – Garrick’s FBI friend, Sawyer J. Brewer.
His color is blue because it is a well known color for the police, but also because it symbolizes his stability, confidence, and trustworthiness. He’s very friendly yet also strict.
Green – Candy Martle, MC’s photographer friend
Candy has a more relaxed look and casual but fashionable outfit. I made her color green to symbolize how Shane could be a little envious of her friend, who has her life figured out.
Purple – Seven L. Thatcher, psychiatrist
Seven is a bit more serious and professional, but still has a kind personality, from her rounded edges. She is purple to symbolize her wisdom and how she holds herself with dignity and grace.
Concept Art
I did a lot of planning and research into fashion from the 1980’s and various cop-shows from the time. I also did lot of exploration into the physical appearances of the characters, studying various actors and regular people.
