Is the MC 'the player' or just a Character you use to interact with a game?

[suprisedcrankyface]

Was genuinely curious how people think of an MC in a game (not just this sites type of games either, all games).

Are they 'the player' or are they just another character?

Seems like many arguments arise on the site over in game events (like the million NTR debates) & was wondering if how people view the character was part of the difference in opinions

EDIT: discussion ongoing but whats trying to be worked out (at present) is 'what is self insertion' & where does it happen, no (sane) person thinks they ARE the character, but where do you get 'onboard' as opposed to staying abstract. Will keep updating OP as we go.

So far most common answer is a character you get onboard with due to good writing or relatability Another is environmental storytelling, the same types of games that can make you lose interest if that immersion is failed or the character starts acting out of character

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

While I don't self insert, I still think it depends on the game's intentions, and how fleshed-out a dev makes the MC. I can't see people self-inserting for my MC, for example. She's too much "her own character".

 

[tanstaafl]

Was genuinely curious how people think of an MC in a game (not just this sites type of games either, all games).

Are they 'the player' or are they just another character?

Seems like many arguments arise on the site over in game events (like the million NTR debates) & was wondering if how people view the character was part of the difference in opinions

Depends almost entirely on two things. 1. The writing. 2. The player.

 

[Pretentious Goblin]

I like female-MC corruption with a believable and consistent MC. I don't self-insert, but I make choices that are in-character for MC, which with the right premise will lead to some kind of corruption arc. If it's the kind of game where you define your character through their actions, I err on the side of inhibition and resistance, as long as it doesn't block off the corruption.

Now if the game truly doesn't have potential for any kind of fetishistic approach on my end (e.g. Mass Effect), I do make the choices I would in MC's position, which usually leads to a good-guy playthrough for the most part. And if the game doesn't have character development (e.g. WoW) I just make the gameplay archetype I enjoy, though I'd still rather be looking at a female's backside than a male one.

 

[suprisedcrankyface]

While I don't self insert, I still think it depends on the game's intentions, and how fleshed-out a dev makes the MC. I can't see people self-inserting for my MC, for example. She's too much "her own character".

I think thats where the line is (hence the question) some games people are happy to let the MC be 'over there' so to speak (particularly in games where the MC has bouncing jugs), but other times people seem to fire up and argue over the MC (highlighted in the NTR categories). Just wondering if perspective on the game play is the cause for half those arguments

 

[Hagatagar]

It should depend on the game, but nowadays the MC is too often just an empty husk, no real personality or motivation, so that players can easily self insert. Pretty much the same reason why they are faceless.
Which makes the MC just a steerless boat in an ocean, drifting with the tides.

 

[tanstaafl]

It should depend on the game, but nowadays the MC is too often just an empty husk, no real personality or motivation, so that players can easily self insert. Pretty much the same reason why they are faceless.
Which makes the MC just a steerless boat in an ocean, drifting with the tides.

There's a "sweet spot" when writing a main character that encourages self insertion. Too empty and plain and you run the risk of people disliking the MC enough that it becomes a meme (I.E. Twilight.) and on the flip side you have a character that is so dynamic that it becomes impossible for a person to see themselves in that character's shoes. I think the best character for self insertion I've ever seen, proven out by time and popularity, is James Bond.

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

I think thats where the line is (hence the question) some games people are happy to let the MC be 'over there' so to speak (particularly in games where the MC has bouncing jugs), but other times people seem to fire up and argue over the MC (highlighted in the NTR categories). Just wondering if perspective on the game play is the cause for half those arguments

I think the answer is probably more varied than the typical Daz male protagonist model.

(10/10 pfp change, btw)

 

[suprisedcrankyface]

I like female-MC corruption with a believable and consistent MC. I don't self-insert, but I make choices that are in-character for MC

It should depend on the game, but nowadays the MC is too often just an empty husk, no real personality or motivation, so that players can easily self insert. Pretty much the same reason why they are faceless.
Which makes the MC just a steerless boat in an ocean, drifting with the tides.

I personally agree - when well written its like red dead redemption, you know you aint john (but you want to be, like the james bond example above), or its a kind of roleplay (when done right) like Baldurs gate where you are following a playstyle to fit 'your character'.

(10/10 pfp change, btw)

Thankyou, no time was harmed during its production though beer was consumed

 

[Saerwen]

Just like in fiction if it's used a second pov then I look at it like self insert but if it's a third pov, then I look at it like an original character.

 

[obibobi]

Many people don't really understand what it means to self insert, look at all the comments going "I don't self insert" and the big reason for this, is some push to make it seem like self inserting is something only losers, people you're on a sex game website with loli, incest rape and beastiality, really don't worry about having the dreaded label of self inserter.

Self insert rarely ever means you think this character is literally me, it can do, but what it always means is to live vicariously through someone and people do it all the time, whether its games, tv shows, movies or even the stories people tell each other, the character or even real person can have little to do with you, you just imagine their journey.

You can of course hate a protagonist, for a few different reasons, either because of some bias, even something as silly as having the name of a person you don't like, or they are just loaded with negative qualities and you're intended to hate them, or the writer is just not very good. But in general unless you're a sociopath you will relate with a decently written protagonist, much if not most of fiction works of this basic idea, the MCU films, female romance, reality tv, E-celebs being friendship simulators and most of all, sex games.

The idea of "I don't self insert" is just so stupid, no one is getting off purely from watching other people have sex, some weird alien like though that gets off purely on watching others, they are getting off on some level, imagining it's them.

 

[Saerwen]

Many people don't really understand what it means to self insert, look at all the comments going "I don't self insert" and the big reason for this, is some push to make it seem like self inserting is something only losers, people you're on a sex game website with loli, incest rape and beastiality, really don't worry about having the dreaded label of self inserter.

Self insert rarely ever means you think this character is literally me, it can do, but what it always means is to live vicariously through someone and people do it all the time, whether its games, tv shows, movies or even the stories people tell each other, the character or even real person can have little to do with you, you just imagine their journey.

You can of course hate a protagonist, for a few different reasons, either because of some bias, even something as silly as having the name of a person you don't like, or they are just loaded with negative qualities and you're intended to hate them, or the writer is just not very good. But in general unless you're a sociopath you will relate with a decently written protagonist, much if not most of fiction works of this basic idea, the MCU films, female romance, reality tv, E-celebs being friendship simulators and most of all, sex games.

The idea of "I don't self insert" is just so stupid, no one is getting off purely from watching other people have sex, some weird alien like though that gets off purely on watching others, they are getting off on some level, imagining it's them.

You don't know how many times I read "I don't self insert" written by users in NTR threads.

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

Many people don't really understand what it means to self insert, look at all the comments going "I don't self insert" and the big reason for this, is some push to make it seem like self inserting is something only losers, people you're on a sex game website with loli, incest rape and beastiality, really don't worry about having the dreaded label of self inserter.

Not at all. "I don't self-insert" just means that, at least for me, I do not imagine myself in the MC's shoes. I don't live vicariously through them, nor do I have to relate to them in any way. I don't think people who do are losers at all. I have zero idea where the hell you got that idea.

 

[MissCougar]

I run them like fun toons or sims. If some option looks silly or funny I select that option.

I like things to be silly and not realistic because I don't want to think too deeply when I do play a game. I want to have fun and smile or laugh at something.

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

I run them like fun toons or sims. If some option looks silly or funny I select that option.

I like things to be silly and not realistic because I don't want to think too deeply when I do play a game. I want to have fun and smile or laugh at something.

Certified silly goose.

 

[obibobi]

You don't know how many times I read "I don't self insert" in NTR games.

That can happen, this one can be a mix of people who just do like the corruption aspect and people who don't like to admit why they like NTR, but then I always ask, "why does it have to be from the perspective of the cuck if you're not self inserting?".

Not at all. "I don't self-insert" just means that, at least for me, I do not imagine myself in the MC's shoes. I don't live vicariously through them, nor do I have to relate to them in any way. I don't think people who do are losers at all. I have zero idea where the hell you got that idea.

You have zero idea on how empathy works? We relate to the actions of others, what did you think frightened people when they watched scary movies?

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

You have zero idea on how empathy works? We relate to the actions of others, what did you think frightened people when they watched scary movies?

I'm trying to say (probably badly) that's not what I mean by "self-insert" when I say it. Whereas I've seen people say "self-insert" and mean to live in the shoes of the protag imagining it is themselves.

 

[suprisedcrankyface]

The idea of "I don't self insert" is just so stupid, no one is getting off purely from watching other people have sex, some weird alien like though that gets off purely on watching others, they are getting off on some level, imagining it's them.

Not really? at no point in lesbian porn do (many) guys think they are lesbian, the idea of 'being on in a secret' or wanting to replicate what they see is part of it. Why I was asking, legit to work this shit out.

Also I know we aint talking larping here in pron games (and also just games to be honest), if you enter the mindset of 'what would i do' with an MC then you are imagining you as them, I probably could have worded the post better, but I asked the question because it was a legit ? and the feedback is already filling in blanks

I run them like fun toons or sims.

Like this, some people see it like being outside the fishbowl watching them swim, others are in the water but poking them to swim

 

[obibobi]

I'm trying to say (probably badly) that's not what I mean by "self-insert" when I say it. Whereas I've seen people say "self-insert" and mean to live in the shoes of the protag imagining it is themselves.

I addressed that in my first point that in most cases it's not always a literally me situation, most characters have established personalities, the Geralts of Rivia, the Naruto's, we are just seeing things through their eyes, frightened, excited, and in a sex games case aroused and we relate.

 

[Insomnimaniac Games]

I addressed that in my first point that in most cases it's not always a literally me situation, most characters have established personalities, the Geralts of Rivia, the Naruto's, we are just seeing things through their eyes, frightened, excited, and in a sex games case aroused and we relate.

I may have misread it, which is entirely possible, but it seemed like you meant people who say "I don't self-insert" (like me) are implying that people who do "self-insert" are losers, which isn't the case at all. I think we all just have different degrees of what "self-insert" means.