Creating Compelling Characters for your ARG

Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) have become increasingly popular over the years, captivating players and immersing them in a world of mystery and intrigue. One of the most crucial elements in creating a successful ARG is having compelling characters that draw players in and keep them engaged throughout the game. In this blog, we will discuss how to create compelling characters for ARGs and what it takes to make them stand out. Below, I’ve also provided a character worksheet pdf file that you can download and work from. Score!

Understanding the Role of Characters in ARGs:

Characters in ARGs serve a similar function to those in traditional storytelling, except that they are brought to life in a way that allows players to interact with them. These characters can take on a variety of roles, such as allies, villains, or even bystanders. They can also be used to provide clues, offer guidance, or challenge players to solve puzzles or complete tasks.

Creating Compelling Characters for ARGs:

When it comes to creating compelling characters for ARGs, there are several key factors to consider. These include their backstory, personality traits, motivations, and how they fit into the larger narrative of the game. Below, we’ll t alk a bit about some important aspects to consider, when creating Characters. This will help make them feel real and compelling! You’ll also notice that we go back to the Backstory quite a bit. This is because your backstory is absolutely vital to so much of what your character does. It influences how they think, feel, behave, etc.

How to create a Character Backstory:

Backstory plays a crucial role in creating compelling characters for ARGs. A well-crafted backstory informs who the character is, why they behave the way they do, and what their motivations are. When creating a backstory for your ARG characters, consider the following:

• Early Life: Start with the character’s early life. Where were they born and raised? What was their childhood like? Did they experience any significant events or traumas during their formative years?
• Family History: Family history can be a significant influence on a character’s behavior and motivations. Consider the character’s family background, including their parents, siblings, and any other significant family members. Were there any conflicts or secrets within the family that could influence the character’s behavior?
• Education and Work Experience: The character’s education and work experience can provide insight into their skills, interests, and abilities. Consider the character’s educational background, including any degrees or certifications they have earned. Also, consider their work experience, including any notable jobs or accomplishments.
• Relationships: Relationships with friends, family, and significant others can also influence a character’s behavior and motivations. Consider the character’s romantic relationships, friendships, and any other significant relationships they have had. Were there any significant events or conflicts within these relationships that could impact the character’s behavior?
• Secrets and Hidden Agendas: Consider adding a twist to the character’s backstory by giving them a secret or hidden agenda. This secret can be something from the character’s past that they are keeping hidden, or it could be a current motivation that players must uncover throughout the game.

How to create your Character’s Personality Traits:

Personality traits are what makes a character memorable and unique in an ARG. A character’s personality can influence their behavior, motivations, and interactions with other characters in the game. When crafting a character’s personality traits for your ARG, consider the following:

• Likes and Dislikes: A character’s likes and dislikes can provide insight into their personality. Consider what your character enjoys doing, what they are passionate about, and what they dislike. These traits can be used to create dialogue, provide clues, and challenge players.
• Quirks and Habits: Quirks and habits can make a character memorable and unique. Consider what your character does that sets them apart from others in the game. Do they have a particular way of speaking or a unique habit that they can’t break?
• Flaws and Weaknesses: Flaws and weaknesses can make a character more relatable and realistic. Consider what your character struggles with or where they fall short. Do they have a temper, or are they easily manipulated? These traits can be used to create challenges for players and provide opportunities for character development throughout the game.
• Strengths and Abilities: Strengths and abilities can also provide insight into a character’s personality. Consider what your character is good at and how they use their skills throughout the game. Are they highly intelligent, skilled in combat, or good at solving puzzles?
• Backstory: As with motivations, a character’s backstory can also inform their personality traits. Consider how the character’s past experiences and relationships influence their behavior and what they value most. For example, if a character had a difficult childhood, they may have developed a tough exterior to protect themselves.

How to determine Character Motivations:

Motivations are what drive a character’s actions and decisions throughout the game. Understanding your character’s motivations is crucial in creating compelling characters that challenge and engage players. When crafting a character’s motivations for your ARG, consider the following:

• Goals: A character’s goals can provide insight into their motivations. Consider what the character wants to achieve throughout the game. Is there a particular outcome they are trying to achieve? Are they motivated by power, fame, or money?
• Fears: A character’s fears can be a powerful motivator. Consider what your character is afraid of. Are they motivated by a desire to overcome their fears, or are their fears driving them to act in a particular way?
• Desires: A character’s desires can also be a significant motivator. Consider what your character desires most in life. Is it love, success, or something else? How far are they willing to go to achieve their desires?
• Morals and Values: A character’s morals and values can also influence their motivations. Consider what your character believes in and what they stand for. Are they motivated by a desire to uphold their values, or are they willing to compromise their morals to achieve their goals?
• Backstory: As mentioned in the previous section, a character’s backstory can also inform their motivations. Consider how the character’s past experiences and relationships influence their behavior and what they are motivated to achieve throughout the game.

What is your Character’s Role in the Narrative:

Each character in an ARG should serve a specific purpose in the larger narrative of the game. A character’s role in the narrative can influence their behavior, motivations, and interactions with other characters in the game. When crafting a character’s role in the narrative for your ARG, consider the following:

• Story Arc: Consider the overall story arc of your ARG and how the character fits into it. How do the character’s backstory and motivations align with the larger narrative? What role does the character play in the overall story?
• Challenges: Consider how the character can be used to create challenges for players. What obstacles can the character create for players to overcome? How can the character’s personality traits and motivations be used to create puzzles or provide clues?
• Relationships: Consider how the character’s relationships with other characters in the game can be used to advance the narrative. Are there any alliances or conflicts that can be used to create tension and move the story forward?
• Plot Development: Consider how the character can be used to develop the plot of the game. How can their backstory or motivations be used to reveal information about the game’s universe or provide clues to players?
• Exposition: Finally, consider how the character can be used to provide exposition about the game’s world or backstory. Are there any key pieces of information that the character can provide to players to help them understand the game’s universe better?

Tips for Making Characters Stand Out in an ARG

Once you have created your characters, there are several tips to help make them stand out and memorable to players.

• Make the Characters Multi-Dimensional
  Characters that are multi-dimensional are more memorable than those that are one-dimensional. Consider adding depth to your characters by giving them unique personality traits, quirks, and motivations that make them stand out from other characters in the game.
• Use Dialogue to Create a Connection with Players
  Dialogue is a powerful tool in creating a connection between characters and players. Use dialogue to reveal the character’s personality traits, motivations, and backstory. Additionally, consider adding humor or wit to the character’s dialogue to make them more relatable and engaging.
• Create Engaging Visuals
  Visuals are a critical component of an ARG, and the same holds for characters. Create visuals that are engaging and visually interesting, such as character designs, avatars, or even social media accounts. These visuals can be used to create a connection between the player and the character.
• Give Characters a Unique Voice
  Each character in an ARG should have a unique voice that sets them apart from other characters in the game. This voice can be expressed through dialogue, visuals, and even the character’s actions. Consider how the character’s personality traits and backstory can be used to create a unique voice.
• Use Social Media
  Social media can be a powerful tool in bringing characters to life and creating a connection with players. Consider creating social media accounts for your characters and using them to post updates, provide clues, or interact with players. Additionally, use social media to create a sense of community around the game and encourage players to engage with the characters and each other.
• Incorporate Player Feedback
  Finally, consider incorporating player feedback into the development of your characters. Ask players for their opinions on the characters and use this feedback to make adjustments or improvements to the characters as the game progresses. This feedback can help ensure that the characters remain engaging and compelling throughout the game.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, creating compelling characters is an essential component of a successful ARG. By considering their backstory, personality traits, motivations, and role in the narrative, you can create characters that are engaging and memorable to players. Additionally, by using dialogue, visuals, social media, and player feedback, you can bring these characters to life and create a connection with players that keeps them engaged and immersed in the game. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful ARG that captivates players and leaves them eager for more.

Free Character Worksheet to accompany this article? You bet there is! Click here!