The Characters Think in the Same Way

Consider a game scenario:

You're a 1930's San Francisco gumshoe in a film noir-styled game. You meet a sexy, dubious damsel in distress, who dresses in red and looks at you with bedroom eyes while relaying a sad story that may or may not be true.

She describes San Francisco as a "toy box masquerading as a city."

Later in the game you meet her sister, who mentions that she likes cable cars, because "they're like toys for grownups."

These two sisters think in similar ways. This helps convince us that they are at least friends, and it won't surprise us to learn they're sisters.

This technique can also be used if the two sisters are present together in the same room. Let's say you're in a cinematic.

 SISTER #1: How do you like the city? You  picked a good time to -- SISTER #2 (interrupting): The cable cars are  a hoot -- SISTER #1: (interrupting) -- like riding  around inside a big toy box. I know. 

Or, we could be a little more layered, by writing them so they have things in common, but also some disagreements.

 SISTER #1: How do you like the city? Spring  here is so...springy -- SISTER #2 I'm not the one who gets depressed  in winter. SISTER #1: It's a condition. SISTER #2: The cable cars -- SISTER #1: I know. Like riding around inside  a big toy box. SISTER #2: (realizing) That dress -- It's mine. SISTER #1: We both know it looks better  on me. 

Is there anyone who, reading the preceding, wouldn't think these two people are sisters or at least friends?

That's because this example uses five NPC Toward NPC Character Chemistry Techniques:

  1. The two sisters have things in common. They both see San Francisco in a playful way. If Sister #2 didn't, she'd say something to contradict her sister.

  2. They have Shared Bits. We get the feeling that they have this kind of inconsequential disagreements on a somewhat regular basis and that it actually might be an expression of affection.

  3. They have shared experiences or history. They must have a past together if #2 knows that #1 gets depressed in winter or if #2 had had an opportunity to take her sister's dress.

  4. Sister #1 knows what the other is thinking. When she says "I know like riding around inside a big toy box," she's accurately guessing what her sister was about to say.

I had mentioned there were five Chemistry Techniques at work here. The fifth, fighting, deserves a more in-depth look.



Creating Emotion in Games. The Craft and Art of Emotioneering
Creating Emotion in Games: The Craft and Art of Emotioneering
ISBN: 1592730078
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 394

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