Faceless "insert" MC, or an MC with actual character which the story revolves around?

[Magentawantsstuff]

I've started work on a game, and one of my partners says our MC should be a faceless guy who is kind of whatever to the story because that's what people prefer in porn games. I however want to write an actual MC and an actual story. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Jumbi]

If the focus is on the story and the characters, there's no question: you want a proper protagonist, with face and a backstory. If the plot is just an excuse to put lewd scenes one after another, then the MC means very little and you can do whatever you feel like with him.

 

[anne O'nymous]

I've started work on a game, and one of my partners says our MC should be a faceless guy who is kind of whatever to the story because that's what people prefer in porn games.

Well, there's threads complaining because the MCs tend to be too weak or too beta, and threads complaining because "all players don't care about the story" ; those last threads generally end badly for their author. There's even threads complaining because there's too many blank MCs. But I have no memories of a thread claiming that MCs should be blank and faceless.

What are your thoughts on this?

The MC should be a children coloring book canvas. It should have a past, a motive, and even partly a future, but it's up to the player, through the choices he'll make during the game, to color each part, in order to build something more personal on top of that canvas.

And, whatever you decide, a MC should never be faceless in the strict meaning of the word. Ask WVM players, it's the most ridiculous thing that someone can do.

 

[coffeeaddicted]

Mm.. i would counter.
I remember Dreams of Desire where the MC wasn't seen except for his hands and legs maybe. Though the story was good.
There are always people complaining about this and that, but if you can convey a story and intent and more importantly, how he is, his alignment, his thoughts, i wouldn't say it matter that much.
On the other hand MC can be seen but perhaps not his head in a sex scene. Kind of like a porn. Mostly.

Though in films there are examples where the protagonist is seen front face where he thinks, debates or talks but when on the move you don't see him or her.
Kind of like Blairwitch.

I think the downside of a visible MC is that it is a hit and miss. Some may like the MC some don't since there is no universal likable character.
There were some games i liked but i couldn't stand the MC. So the story didn't matter after that.

 

[anne O'nymous]

Mm.. i would counter.
I remember Dreams of Desire where the MC wasn't seen except for his hands and legs maybe. Though the story was good.

But it was just because the CGs were all designed from a 1st person perspective. While we never saw him, he wasn't blank. He had a (complex and deep) past, a personality relatively clearly defined, and few goals (some being dropped before the end of the game).

The issue with WVM is that the MC is really, and literally, faceless, strictly speaking. When the CG include him, either there's something (generally a girl) blocking his face, or there's a big black square in place of his face. Some other games do the same, generally using a troll face or a smiley, what is just a bit less ridiculous.

 

[coffeeaddicted]

But it was just because the CGs were all designed from a 1st person perspective. While we never saw him, he wasn't blank. He had a (complex and deep) past, a personality relatively clearly defined, and few goals (some being dropped before the end of the game).

The issue with WVM is that the MC is really, and literally, faceless, strictly speaking. When the CG include him, either there's something (generally a girl) blocking his face, or there's a big black square in place of his face. Some other games do the same, generally using a troll face or a smiley, what is just a bit less ridiculous.

Smiley faces? Never seen that.
I think that not showing the face can have a purpose. It really depends on the story.

To me most games, while lewd, forget logic and reason.
In that case it doesn't even matter if the MC is faceless. It wouldn't change the game.

I never played WVM. Maybe i should check that.
There was a game where i thought it had potential but it wasn't great in any sense either. Though it triggered the lewd desire in me. Clearly when hormones go in your way, you can't think anymore.

What i could envision is scenes where you would see the MC in a mirror but clouded in fog, blurry. I think this can enhance the experience.
I think there is potential to developing a protagonist that you don't actually see.
Most are more like an Ed Wood movie.

If the game shouldn't be your usual porn game, then it is important to know what it is about. Why does this story exist and why the protagonist is important to the game, the story.
To show him, or not, is in my opinion secondary.
It shouldn't be some, as you said, troll face plastered over the face but something nuanced. Where you get a hint and you imagination can take over.
I think the worst movies are those that give you all the answers. No thinking required which is in most porn movies or VN's.