158 réponses à ce sujet

[Hair Serious Business]

In fact leave it as bland as Bruce Wayne's personality. That is how our character's backstory should be none-existent.

 

Here is why. I replayed FO4 and tried to play as female for change because I'm female myself and of course I'm going to relate to female more...however once more I chose male. Why? Simply because I don't want to be someone's housewife, widow and crying mother for rest of game....in fact I have same problem as male, it just ruins every headcanon I might have had!

 

"Ummm...you could RP?" Yes but it is almost impossible. How. Lets say I want to RP character that is gay, yes I could get story in my head how he/she only got married and got kid for appearances and ~yada yada~ once vault is over I'm free...or should be to do whatever the heck I want and make story I want. However again impossible. Everything about you goes being father/mother to some brat you don't give a damn about and your entire story revolves about that. So impossible to close your eyes and "lets pretend" I never was married and had kid in game because of it.

In another words I hate everything about FO4 protagonist's backstory and how much it is forced on you trough entire game. How every headcanon you had can go straight to hell. It would have been better if wife/husband were some kind of relatives and whoever we don't play...then the brat is theirs (headcanon could be their husband/wife died during war or something and now you are helping them out), it would be way better because it wouldn't screw anyone's headcanon for their character in here!

 

This is why I don't want anything like this to be for ME:A character. In fact nothing even like what we had in previous ME games. No special backstory about them. No family. No nothing. Just give us player with basic info(their last name, that they are serving/commanding -something), in another words gives us everything that is present about character and leave their past blank as possible...in another words just leave their "special past" to us.

[spinachdiaper]

Sorry but the blank slate character era in RPG's ended 10+ years ago, even today's ARPG's characters have voiced dialogue and an unnecessary background story. It looks like MOBA's and MMO's are the last and completely horrific refuge for those who need to head cannon role play their character's story.

[BaaBaaBlacksheep]

Why just set up playing different back stories like Origins?

[Onewomanarmy]

Why just set up playing different back stories Luke Origins?

 

I'd totally support this. That would also mean that I'd have more reason to replay it. 

[Geth Supremacy]

They want you all to get over your irrational hatred for MP for no reason and in many cases not even giving it a try.  They make the game more defined you will join the MP bronze rooms and see how bad ass it is as you need more of a ME fix and can't get it from the SP.

[Fade9wayz]

It's not like Shepy had much backstory. Spacer, colonist or Earthling, and a passing mention of their past that you could easily headcanon from. The Dragon Age series was a bit more involved in the Protag's origins, but I thought it still left enough liberty to easily headcanon their past, with the exception of DA2 maybe.

[Hair Serious Business]

They want you all to get over your irrational hatred for MP for no reason and in many cases not even giving it a try.  They make the game more defined you will join the MP bronze rooms and see how bad ass it is as you need more of a ME fix and can't get it from the SP.

 

[wright1978]

I hope they refine the original mass effect approach where there were a handful of backgrounds/histories, that hopefully they will then touch upon in the game. Outside of that there should be a degree of flexibility for the player to imbue the character with their own character elements

[Hair Serious Business]

I hope they refine the original mass effect approach where there were a handful of backgrounds/histories, that hopefully they will then touch upon in the game. Outside of that there should be a degree of flexibility for the player to imbue the character with their own character elements

 

As long as it "already established" thing isn't some mayor thing about character, I'm good.

 

But I don't want already established friends from past, family, my past life already decided in here. Perhaps giving us few options once we are in game to chose from of who we were that will help establish our character background. 

[aoibhealfae]

I prefer a range of backstory choices than just one. Shepard has them, all DA have them even Hawke have its differences according to class, which sibling you save and which attitude you adopt.

 

I find blankslate characters has its uses like in SWTOR. My Sith Sorceror is a former child slave and it was really infuriating when people keep degrading her and belittling her. She even go cuckoo as a Dark Sider. Meanwhile, my Sith Assassin is more a mercenary sith warrioress which is awesome. Still same person but completely different character.

 

However, in SP, not sure I even want to RP that much. I rather focus my creative energy on writing a novel than headcanoning too much on my own.  

[Hair Serious Business]

I prefer a range of backstory choices than just one. Shepard has them, all DA have them even Hawke have its differences according to class, which sibling you save and which attitude you adopt.

 

I find blankslate characters has its uses like in SWTOR. My Sith Sorceror is a former child slave and it was really infuriating when people keep degrading her and belittling her. She even go cuckoo as a Dark Sider. Meanwhile, my Sith Assassin is more a mercenary sith warrioress which is awesome. Still same person but completely different character.

 

However, in SP, not sure I even want to RP that much. I rather focus my creative energy on writing a novel than headcanoning too much on my own.  

 

Guess my problem is I like to RP.

 

I don't know I just don't find it much appealing to have character with already too many established things. I like to make up story in my head about my character because that way I simply can relate to my protagonist more. Though I gotta admit I loved all especially city elf background story in DAO.

[wright1978]

As long as it "already established" thing isn't some mayor thing about character, I'm good.

 

But I don't want already established friends from past, family, my past life already decided in here. Perhaps giving us few options once we are in game to chose from of who we were that will help establish our character background. 

 

I wouldn't really take issue if they made a family member a squadmate/prominent NPC. It was a definite strength of DA2 to tell a story where the player got to explore the sibling relationship. Equally baldurs gate has Imoen who is a childhood friend. As long as the player is given ability to characterise the relationship i don't have an issue with this sort of definition if it provides story and roleplaying benefits. Equally if its going to be something much smaller I think the notion of Shep's spacer mother was decently done. Complete blank slate isn't necessarily a good thing anymore than complete definement.

[Laughing_Man]

My conclusion from FO4 and DA:I is that blank-slate voiced protagonists simply do not work well.

 

The need to voice the lines never leaves you with enough choice and variety to actually RP freely.

[Mistic]

I find blankslate characters has its uses like in SWTOR. My Sith Sorceror is a former child slave and it was really infuriating when people keep degrading her and belittling her. She even go cuckoo as a Dark Sider. Meanwhile, my Sith Assassin is more a mercenary sith warrioress which is awesome. Still same person but completely different character.

 

Well, you could say that characters in SWTOR aren't exactly blankslates. No matter what, the Sith Inquisitor was made a slave and the Sith Warrior comes from a noble family, to give just two examples. In that regard, the starting planets work like the origins in DA:O.

 

Still, I get what you say. Give the option to choose the backgrounds and don't force too many things on the player.

 

Guess my problem is I like to RP.

 

I don't know I just don't find it much appealing to have character with already too many established things. I liked to make up story in my head about my character because that way I simply can relate to my protagonist more. Though I gotta admit I loved all especially city elf background story in DAO.

 

But that isn't exactly RP. What you are asking for is absolute character control, not RP.

 

My personal experience makes me consider that RP works better within limits in a video game. At the end of the day, all your PC's words and actions are already scripted in the game and blankslate characters more often than not end up becoming bland puppets that only show some complexity in headcanon. Precisely because I like RP, the idea of a protagonist devoid of background, like the prisoner in TES, doesn't sound appealing at all.

 

My personal choice is that of origins, like DA:O or SWTOR. Give a starting scenario for your character to play but, very important, don't tell the player what the PC has to think or feel. Let them react. Don't presume they love their family, or are BFFs with other characters, or that they are dutiful, or daredevils. Provide dialogue choices for that. Lacking origins, ME didn't do half bad with letting players combine different backgrounds with different service records.

[Hair Serious Business]

^Now this is what I mean.

 

Don't force me to actually want to love my so called husband/wife when I never gave damn. Don't force me to act traumatized over their deaths because I never cared for them. Don't make me crying father/mother when in truth I have no feelings for that cocoon thing that is called my son. "But not caring for your kid makes you terrible parent" well that is what beauty of RP is, to be horrible parent and not wonderful caring one, besides I don't see a reason why should I care for that brat at all. There are no personal feelings or attachments for that kid by my side at all. I felt more sorry for Kellogg then my son and husband/wife combined in here.

 

So some backstory is fine....but don't let it be too defined and too forced onto player. As my daddy likes to say "Past is in the past and it should stay there".

[Revan Reborn]

Well I can safely say that "origin stories" like there were in DAO are never going to happen again. While BioWare thought they had an interesting impact on the game, it was far too difficult and impractical to implement, not to mention a lot of other stuff had to get cut to make it work. David Gaider stated Dragon Age was never going to have origin stories again. However, with him gone, perhaps Patrick Weekes could revert course? I doubt he will.

 

Honestly, OP, the "backstory" for Shepard was so vague and minor that it almost had zero impact on the story. It was more of a way for the player to make Shepard a bit more personalized, but it really didn't go anywhere. BioWare also wanted Shepard to already be an established war hero, so some loss of control was necessary in order to tell the specific story BioWare wanted to with ME1-3.

 

Andromeda is going to be entirely different. We aren't already going to be a war hero. In fact, BioWare as stated we are going to be a rookie. We are certainly going to be talented, but we'll be at the bottom of the totem pole. It will be up to the player to make a name for himself/herself, so there should already be a lot more player agency in how you define your character than in ME1-3.

 

As far as having a blank slate, that will never happen in a BioWare game. They are story-driven and the writers have to give the character some personality and structure in order to make the story compelling. Otherwise, they would never know how the protagonist would react, and will get a cringe-worthy story like Skyrim was. Expect a bit more control than the original trilogy, but not absolute control as if this were a silent protagonist or an MMORPG.

[Revan Reborn]

^Now this is what I mean.

 

Don't force me to actually want to love my so called husband/wife when I never gave damn. Don't force me to act traumatized over their deaths because I never cared for them. Don't make me crying father/mother when in truth I have no feelings for that cocoon thing that is called my son. "But not caring for your kid makes you terrible parent" well that is what beauty of RP is, to be horrible parent and not wonderful caring one, besides I don't see a reason why should I care for that brat at all. There are no personal feelings or attachments for that kid by my side at all. I felt more sorry for Kellogg then my son and husband/wife combined in here.

 

So some backstory is fine....but don't let it be too defined and too forced onto player. As my daddy likes to say "Past is in the past and it should stay there".

As far as Fallout 4 is concerned, I blame BGS's incompetency when it comes to making a story. What was the point of the pre-war prologue when you meet your husband/wife and son for five minutes before blowing the world to kingdom come? There is no way anybody can build a sense of attachment or interest in these characters. The interaction is way too brief. BGS wanted the player to feel a sense of loss and vulnerability, but the pre-war sequence would have needed to have been a lot longer. Of course, Fallout is all about the post-apocalyptic setting, so it was really just bad planning and bad writing on their part. None of it made any sense.

[Hazegurl]

Why not just ask to play the PC the moment they pop out the womb? It's unrealistic to expect a person to reach adulthood with no backstory whatsoever.  The blank slate RPG character is usually the fakest character in  the entire story and the dullest to be around because they have nothing going on other than saving everyone. Yet we have to spend the entire game with this nobody while the companions get all the exciting past relationships, story lines, and personal story outcomes.  No thanks, I'd rather have a defined background and a good story to go with it than to feel as though I'm stuck on the sidlines just saving everybody with no personal life of my own.

[Sylvius the Mad]

Sorry but the blank slate character era in RPG's ended 10+ years ago, even today's ARPG's characters have voiced dialogue and an unnecessary background story. It looks like MOBA's and MMO's are the last and completely horrific refuge for those who need to head cannon role play their character's story.

It hasn't even been 5 years since Skyrim yet.

And Inquisition gave us a blank slate, as well.

Blank slates are vital. At least FO4 let's us mod the game to remove some of that crap.

[Heimdall]

Well I can safely say that "origin stories" like there were in DAO are never going to happen again. While BioWare thought they had an interesting impact on the game, it was far too difficult and impractical to implement, not to mention a lot of other stuff had to get cut to make it work. David Gaider stated Dragon Age was never going to have origin stories again. However, with him gone, perhaps Patrick Weekes could revert course? I doubt he will.

Honestly, OP, the "backstory" for Shepard was so vague and minor that it almost had zero impact on the story. It was more of a way for the player to make Shepard a bit more personalized, but it really didn't go anywhere. BioWare also wanted Shepard to already be an established war hero, so some loss of control was necessary in order to tell the specific story BioWare wanted to with ME1-3.

Andromeda is going to be entirely different. We aren't already going to be a war hero. In fact, BioWare as stated we are going to be a rookie. We are certainly going to be talented, but we'll be at the bottom of the totem pole. It will be up to the player to make a name for himself/herself, so there should already be a lot more player agency in how you define your character than in ME1-3.

As far as having a blank slate, that will never happen in a BioWare game. They are story-driven and the writers have to give the character some personality and structure in order to make the story compelling. Otherwise, they would never know how the protagonist would react, and will get a cringe-worthy story like Skyrim was. Expect a bit more control than the original trilogy, but not absolute control as if this were a silent protagonist or an MMORPG.

Well, I doubt a return to Origins, but I could see them going halfway wth it.

Say, for example, the next game starts all in the same area, but the initial quests that lead to them becoming involved in the mains story are different.

[Linkenski]

I loved having a backstory in Mass Effect that people refer to and gives my character a sense of what his motivations are and what he can sustain (NB: Him, not me, and I'm roleplaying as him -- that's how I play these games)

 

So nah, to me the blank-slate protagonist is a step backwards and can appear in some other game, but not Mass Effect.

[Sylvius the Mad]

Why just set up playing different back stories like Origins?

Too limiting. I complained about this when DAO was in development. While having multiple pre-written origins is better than having just one, playing a mysterious stranger (as in NWN, KotOR, and DAI) gives us much more freedom to define motives.

All roleplaying is headcanon. A blank slate character gives us more space to to do that.

[Sylvius the Mad]

I loved having a backstory in Mass Effect that people refer to and gives my character a sense of what his motivations are and what he can sustain (NB: Him, not me, and I'm roleplaying as him -- that's how I play these games)

This only works if they give us all of that information up front (before character creation) so we can base decisions on it.

And even then, that traps us playing just that one character (or very similar characters).

[Master Warder Z_]

Too limiting. I complained about this when DAO was in development. While having multiple pre-written origins is better than having just one, playing a mysterious stranger (as in NWN, KotOR, and DAI) gives us much more freedom to define motives.

All roleplaying is headcanon. A blank slate character gives us more space to to do that.

 

I never liked the backstory given for KOTOR: I mean the computer on the wookie homeworld basically straight up tells you that your brain is wired a certain way. The dark side is apart of any Sith Lord, that cannot be taken away merely by amnesia, Revan upon waking in the Endar Spire should have been straight up sociopathic even if he had no memories.

 

Of course that would ruin the whole decision of walking the path yourself, but when you have set lore on a given subject, and you have numerous citations of that-you are sort of stuck. They never really explained why Revan's loss of memories would also constitute the loss of the connection to the dark side, I mean Sith make the force submit to them. Its a very intimate thing according to lore, you are the master in that relationship and while Sith as a whole have a massive divergence in the view of the absolute force there is no contention on the utilization for it.

 

Its the key to their superiority, its what makes them better then the chaff. 

 

You cannot embrace that mindset without some sort of connection to those tenets and I sort of understand why they did what they did to basically leave the character open for future usage but...well it was handled horribly.

[Midnight Bliss]

ME1 already did this perfectly with multiple backstories that people reacted to throughout the story.

 

For MEA I'd like to see the same system again but maybe more backgrounds, and maybe more reactions throughout the game to your choice / some consequences for the choice. (Like special quests, responses, interactions, ect)

 

DAI's blank slate was terrible and one of the (many) problems with the Inquisitor and why they were boring and barely had a personality. I never want to see an awful protagonist story like that anywhere near a Mass Effect game.