Interesting Protagonist vs A protagonist you can project on?

Zeboon

Newbie
Game Developer
Jul 5, 2024
70
82
I wanted to ask if you guys like a protagonist with an actual personality or a protagonist that is just basically you? I wanted to ask this because I want to make a JRPG down the road, but I'm also curious to know if what draws most of you to it are the characters outside of the MC.
 

Zeboon

Newbie
Game Developer
Jul 5, 2024
70
82
Just tell a good story with interesting characters. And yes, the MC can be an interesting character, he doesn't have to be this blank page the players can project themselves on.
Ha I feel that, I wanted to reach a wide audience that's why. The blank face (Link) type protag seems to be pretty common where they can easily self insert rather than be interesting in any way. I see this waaay too much in hentai games. To the point where they have blank eyes that basically tell you "Yeah this guy isn't a person its just you"
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doorknob22

Letstryitout

Member
Sep 11, 2018
358
394
Depends on what engine you're making it on or the game would have sandbox elements. I usually prefer less talking from MC, I don't give a f about him if male, (I care much more if MC is female and game have corruption aspects). Overall the highlight is female and Male MC is just there as a presence, I wouldn't care if he had such tragic past or has some funny jokes he could make, but I would welcome if he good sexual prowess to enrich the main focus.

But, you said you want to make JRPG, not necessarily a porn game, if that's the case I prefer Dragon Quest style silent MC or an MC that talks less but is not grumpy.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Zeboon

Insomnimaniac Games

Degenerate Handholder
Game Developer
May 25, 2017
3,602
6,487
I think self-inserting is a little weird, so I guess my vote would be for an interesting protag? I mean, even Persona games give their MC's a little personality.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glib_Gentleman

Zeboon

Newbie
Game Developer
Jul 5, 2024
70
82
Depends on what engine you're making it on or the game would have sandbox elements. I usually prefer less talking from MC, I don't give a f about him if male, (I care much more if MC is female and game have corruption aspects). Overall the highlight is female and Male MC is just there as a presence, I wouldn't care if he had such tragic past or has some funny jokes he could make, but I would welcome if he good sexual prowess to enrich the main focus.

But, you said you want to make JRPG, not necessarily a porn game, if that's the case I prefer Dragon Quest style silent MC or an MC that talks less but is not grumpy.
Hell I appreciate the honesty
 

Zeboon

Newbie
Game Developer
Jul 5, 2024
70
82
I think self-inserting is a little weird, so I guess my vote would be for an interesting protag? I mean, even Persona games give their MC's a little personality.
Nah Played all persona games, the only personality these guys have is basically their designs. But I get you.
 

Insomnimaniac Games

Degenerate Handholder
Game Developer
May 25, 2017
3,602
6,487
Nah Played all persona games, the only personality these guys have is basically their designs. But I get you.
I disagree. Especially P5. The whole story starts off with MC trying to help a total stranger. That's kindness. He runs after Ann when he sees her in tears, that's also kindness. The beginning cutscene shows of his confident cockiness, and dramatic flair.

It's not a lot in the grand scheme, but my point is that there can be underlying traits even in most "blank-slate" MCs. Even if it only goes as far as "directing" what choices you give to the player.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PopotoProductions

Zeboon

Newbie
Game Developer
Jul 5, 2024
70
82
I disagree. Especially P5. The whole story starts off with MC trying to help a total stranger. That's kindness. He runs after Ann when he sees her in tears, that's also kindness. The beginning cutscene shows of his confident cockiness, and dramatic flair.

It's not a lot in the grand scheme, but my point is that there can be underlying traits even in most "blank-slate" MCs. Even if it only goes as far as "directing" what choices you give to the player.
Oh yeah I forgot he helped her, and the MC in 3 shot himself with his envoker to fight instead of shitting his pants and running.
I get your point.
 
  • Heart
Reactions: Insomnimaniac Games

anne O'nymous

I'm not grumpy, I'm just coded that way.
Modder
Donor
Respected User
Jun 10, 2017
11,203
16,898
And yes, the MC can be an interesting character, he doesn't have to be this blank page the players can project themselves on.
I'll go further, who said that players can only project themselves on blank MC?

It's a game, and therefore a fantasy. There's nothing preventing you to identify to the MC, whatever how deep his personality can be. I mean, don't tell me that you (plural) never ever self identified, consciously or not, with the Hero when watching an action movie.
 

IBreedWives

New Member
Dec 29, 2024
14
13
I think self-inserting is a little weird
I think not self inserting is the weird way to play these games. Why would I want to watch someone else fucking the women in the game? I might as well be playing an NTR game at that point :cool:

On the topic of the thread, I prefer both an interesting character and one that I can project myself onto which is why I hate games where the MC is reluctant/pushover/weak/boring. Also devs dont use first person perspective enough in most visual novels, when you continuously show me the MC it makes it harder to immerse into him if you dont look like him, biggest culprit being the dude in Desert Stalker, cant relate to baldy.
 

Insomnimaniac Games

Degenerate Handholder
Game Developer
May 25, 2017
3,602
6,487
I think not self inserting is the weird way to play these games. Why would I want to watch someone else fucking the women in the game? I might as well be playing an NTR game at that point :cool:
Different strokes and all that, I guess. But...
Also devs dont use first person perspective enough in most visual novels, when you continuously show me the MC it makes it harder to immerse into him if you dont look like him, biggest culprit being the dude in Desert Stalker, cant relate to baldy.
I can answer this. We don't do it because it's a massive pain in the ass to do properly. Ever see what a first-person model in a game actually looks like? It's deformed to hell and back. It's easier, and gives much more freedom doing third-person stuff.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KiraJames

IBreedWives

New Member
Dec 29, 2024
14
13
I can answer this. We don't do it because it's a massive pain in the ass to do properly. Ever see what a first-person model in a game actually looks like? It's deformed to hell and back. It's easier, and gives much more freedom doing third-person stuff.
huh? I just mean first person (i guess pov technically) as in not even showing the MC like in most of WVM or City of Broken Dreamers
 

Zeboon

Newbie
Game Developer
Jul 5, 2024
70
82
I think not self inserting is the weird way to play these games. Why would I want to watch someone else fucking the women in the game? I might as well be playing an NTR game at that point :cool:

On the topic of the thread, I prefer both an interesting character and one that I can project myself onto which is why I hate games where the MC is reluctant/pushover/weak/boring. Also devs dont use first person perspective enough in most visual novels, when you continuously show me the MC it makes it harder to immerse into him if you dont look like him, biggest culprit being the dude in Desert Stalker, cant relate to baldy.
I figured that, I do the same when its non-ntr games. Like the protag of demon deals is just not a person to me. Same with Stellar Dream. I wanted to know more or less when it comes to hentai/porn games. to have a deeper understanding of F95's fanbase.
 

Zeboon

Newbie
Game Developer
Jul 5, 2024
70
82
I think I may just go with a blank character tbh, I think I get it and why people rather have that. I hate the protag of Reflection of the past. He's in every way and form a weirdo, you feel sorry for him and think "I get it man we've all been there" then hypnotizing a chick that's actually been nice to you, rather than figuring out ways to charm her. A bad protag makes these games feel slimey if you're not into the type of stuff. I also understand why having routes is a bit more important as it atleast helps with you play out your fantasy your own way. Fall out ya wanna be a nice guy you play as one, you wanna be an asshat you can do that too.