Since we’re about to drop a bomb on the game world with our next offering, it seems only appropriate to pull some fun drawings that fit the theme.  Let’s have a look at a few different rounds of military characters i’ve created.  Up top, you can see a bunch of characters I created for a motion comic that fell by the wayside.

Below, you can check out another set of military dudes I created for the pitch to a squad based game back in 2008.  When I considered how to approach 4 playable characters, I wanted to make them all defined and unique, and able to fit within a real group mentality.  To accomplish this using visuals, I thought about the characters, and what would allow them to be separate and play off each others attributes.  The first thing I thought of is some archetypes that could show up in such a group, and their dialogue with one another.  Creating characters is about understanding what drives the characters.  In order to do that, you really have to investigate why this character acts the way they do–what motivates them.  Check out the image, what group dynamic do you see happening there?

There’s alot happening here already, just from the picture.  I’m not speaking of animosity or any such emotion, but just looking at the characters, it should be clear they all have a different sort of mentality.  The fact that they all carry the same gun, and wear the same uniform allows us (the viewer) to understand they are part of the same team, but the fact that they all have their own personalities allows a larger investment on our part.  I sigh, as I’d love to keep going, but I’d also like to keep interest!  And in such a fashion, I’ll say that coming up next, I’ll break down each character, along with line drawings to further the ideas of character development!

…you know what, I just can’t help myself right now!  I have to talk about the first 2 guys and how they came about.  We’ll start with the big guy.  This guy, to me, had to be here–I guess upon thinking about it, because he was what inspired me!  No other reason, I went with what came to me.  

Here we have who I termed “Southern Fried”…but to start, let’s get some more details on the game.  It was about Ex NAVY Seals, and they have to go save the world.  The base information is these guys are highly trained Seals, and a group of 4.  Now, some people would automatically start with a robotic group of space marines, and I say go for it.  Here, the first thing I thought is about the world I see around me, and what most images really bring up when discussing our modern day heroes.  Obviously, my design here is not a machine, he’s a real person.  He is also a trained killer, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at him (in street clothes).  And for the most part, you wouldn’t know that by looking at anybody!  Beyond that, his physical shape is there to start to tell his story, without him having to (obtrusively)–tell his story!!  I don’t need to hear some guy rambling away about how he loves chicken wings, it doesn’t add to the gameplay!  But, I have no problem coming up with that story myself through quick comments that are made by the character.  I’m going to take this one step further, and share the true inspiration for this character–an NFL defensive lineman!!  Look at his body type and at first you say there’s no way that guy could catch a criminal etc…but lets consider that most defensive lineman in the NFL run a 4.5 average 40 yard dash (the fast ones I’m thinking of at least), so it’s not out of line for our character to now seem a bit more acceptable as a Seal.  Add to the fact he loves chewing tobacco, is southern so his voice has a drawl, and is quite easy going but can erupt like a volcano if pushed.  We’re getting complex, and I like it.  Let’s add another layer, by adding another character to the dynamic.

“Gung Ho”, I still don’t know what that truly means, but I know what it implies, and this guy is it!  All about efficiency and any means necessary, I felt this guy did actually fit a more pumped up aesthetic and attitude, so I was glad to be able to incorporate such a character.  The fun came from exploring the polar opposites of these 2 characters, and envisioning how their dialogue would work.

And thats what we should consider about our characters…how do they work.  What makes them work?  As a character artist, these are the questions I ask, especially when dealing with group scenarios for a game setting.  I’ll bring up the next 2 guys soon, and how I related them to these characters, and once again to the overall group.