Classifying games is complex, but a fundamental understanding hinges on core gameplay mechanics and player experience. While many games blend genres, recognizing the dominant elements helps us analyze and appreciate their design.
Core Game Genres:
- Action: Emphasizes reflexes and fast-paced combat. Subgenres include shooters (first-person, third-person), beat ’em ups, and fighting games. Key elements are responsiveness, timing, and mastering control schemes.
- Adventure: Focuses on narrative and exploration. Often incorporates puzzle-solving and character interaction. Subgenres include point-and-click, narrative-driven adventures, and action-adventure titles which blend action elements with exploration.
- Simulation: Aims to realistically model a system or process. Examples include flight simulators, racing simulators, and life simulators. Success hinges on accuracy and the depth of the simulated world.
- Puzzle: Challenges players to solve problems using logic, strategy, or lateral thinking. Ranges from simple match-three games to complex physics-based puzzles. Problem-solving is the core mechanic.
- Strategy: Requires players to plan and execute long-term strategies, often managing resources and units. Subgenres include real-time strategy (RTS), turn-based strategy (TBS), and grand strategy games. Strategic thinking and resource management are paramount.
- Role-Playing Games (RPGs): Center on character development, storytelling, and progression. Players typically control a character who gains experience, levels up, and enhances their abilities. Emphasis is placed on narrative and character customization.
Beyond the Basics: Understanding Hybrid Genres
Many games defy simple categorization. Action-RPGs blend the fast-paced combat of action games with character progression and narrative elements of RPGs. Strategy-RPGs combine strategic gameplay with role-playing elements. The possibilities are vast, and understanding the interplay between core mechanics is key to understanding the design and appeal of a given game.
What types of heroes are there?
A Guide to Literary Character Types
Understanding character types is crucial for both writing and analyzing literature. This guide outlines six key categories, providing insights to enhance your comprehension and creative processes.
- Protagonist (Voluntary Hero): This is your classic hero. They actively pursue a goal, often facing significant challenges and demonstrating agency. They are the driving force of the narrative, initiating the plot’s primary conflict. Examples include Luke Skywalker (Star Wars) and Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games).
- Unwilling Hero (Involuntary Hero): Forced into a heroic role, often against their will. They may be reluctant or unprepared, their journey characterized by a gradual acceptance of responsibility. Examples include Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit) and Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings).
- Tragic Hero: A character of high status who possesses a fatal flaw (hamartia) leading to their downfall. This downfall is often caused by a combination of their own choices and external forces. Their suffering evokes pity and fear in the audience. Examples include Oedipus Rex (Oedipus Rex) and Macbeth (Macbeth).
- Classical Hero: Often possessing superhuman abilities or noble birth, they embody idealized virtues and serve as role models, frequently representing cultural values. Think Hercules or Achilles.
- Epic Hero: Similar to the Classical Hero but often involved in grand adventures spanning large geographical areas and long time periods. They frequently face supernatural foes and exhibit exceptional courage and strength. Examples include Beowulf and Odysseus.
- Anti-hero: Lacks conventional heroic qualities. They might be morally ambiguous, flawed, or even outright villainous, yet the audience is still drawn to their journey or perspective. Examples include Walter White (Breaking Bad) and Dexter Morgan (Dexter).
Beyond the Basics: Remember, these categories aren’t mutually exclusive. A character can exhibit traits from multiple types. Consider the character’s motivations, flaws, and their relationship to the narrative’s conflict to best categorize them.
Developing Memorable Characters: No matter the type, compelling characters are complex, believable, and undergo significant change (or demonstrate consistent internal conflict) throughout the narrative. Focus on their internal struggles, relationships, and moral dilemmas to create truly memorable characters.
What are the different types of characters?
Character archetypes are fundamental to compelling narratives, especially in games. Understanding these archetypes is crucial for designing believable and engaging characters. While a simple categorization might list classic, everyday, superhero, tragic, epic, and anti-hero, a deeper game-design perspective reveals more nuanced distinctions and strategic considerations.
Key Character Archetypes & Game Design Implications:
- Classic Hero: Embodies traditional virtues, often on a quest. Game design: Clearly defined goals, linear progression, rewarding player agency through skill-based challenges.
- Everyday Hero (everyman): Relatable, ordinary individual thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Game design: Focus on emotional investment, relatable struggles, emergent gameplay that reflects realistic consequences of choices.
- Superhero: Possesses exceptional abilities, often fighting against overwhelming odds. Game design: Emphasis on power fantasy, spectacular abilities, high-octane action sequences, and potentially branching narrative paths tied to morality choices.
- Tragic Hero: Possesses a fatal flaw leading to their downfall despite noble intentions. Game design: Exploration of complex themes, morally grey areas, narrative focus on character arc and consequences of choices, possibly featuring a bittersweet or unsatisfying ending.
- Epic Hero: Undertakes grand, world-altering journeys. Game design: Large-scale gameplay, expansive world design, multiple interconnected quests, potentially featuring an ensemble cast.
- Anti-hero: Morally ambiguous protagonist who may use questionable methods for ostensibly good goals. Game design: Moral ambiguity, player choice influencing the narrative and the character’s arc, challenging players’ moral compasses, possibly multiple endings reflecting differing moral outcomes.
Beyond the Basics: Successful game design often blends these archetypes. A seemingly everyday hero might exhibit superhuman resilience, blurring lines between archetypes. Furthermore, consider the impact of narrative structure (linear vs. branching), game mechanics (RPG, action, puzzle), and player agency in shaping the player’s perception and engagement with the character.
Strategic Considerations: The choice of archetype directly impacts player expectations, narrative pacing, and overall game experience. A poorly implemented archetype, even a classic hero, can lead to predictable and unengaging gameplay. Careful consideration of the character’s role within the game’s broader mechanics and narrative is crucial for creating truly memorable and impactful experiences.
What constitutes a typical hero?
A typical hero in video games is an archetypal character representing the idealized values and aspirations of a specific player base at a particular point in gaming history. This archetype evolves over time, reflecting cultural shifts and technological advancements. For example, the stoic, lone-wolf hero of the 80s and 90s gave way to more complex, morally grey characters in the modern era. Consider the impact of narrative design: early games focused on simplistic good vs. evil narratives, whereas modern games often explore multifaceted conflicts and morally ambiguous choices. The hero’s visual design also plays a crucial role, reflecting prevailing aesthetic trends and mirroring player expectations related to power fantasy and relatable character design. Gameplay mechanics further define the typical hero; the powerful warrior, the cunning mage, or the stealthy rogue all represent distinct archetypes with different play styles and associated narratives. Analyzing these elements across different eras and genres reveals how the definition of a “typical hero” continually adapts and expands within the video game landscape.
What fantasy classes are there?
Alright, rookie. Fantasy RPGs typically boil down to three core classes: Warrior, Rogue, and Mage. Let’s break it down.
Warrior: Think heavy armor, shield and sword (or a big ol’ two-hander). Raw strength is your bread and butter. They’re the tanks, the frontline bruisers. Don’t underestimate the tactical advantage of a good shield bash, though. And some warriors specialize in specific weapon types, opening up unique combat styles. Mastering timing and positioning is crucial; brute force alone won’t cut it against tougher foes.
Rogue: Light or medium armor, focusing on speed and finesse. Bows, daggers, poisons – your tools of the trade. They’re about precision strikes, exploiting weaknesses, and staying out of the spotlight. Stealth is key, and learning to pick your battles is just as important as winning them. A skilled rogue can turn the tide of a battle before the enemy even knows they’re there. Don’t forget about traps and disabling mechanisms!
Mage: These guys sling spells, harnessing raw magical power. Their effectiveness relies heavily on spell selection and mana management. Different mages specialize in different schools of magic – fire, ice, lightning, healing, etc. Each school has distinct strengths and weaknesses. Learning to combine spells effectively is the mark of a true master mage. They may be squishy in terms of direct combat, but their ability to control the battlefield is unmatched.
What is an example of a character class?
Think of character classes like cheat codes in a game. The simplest form? Just a bunch of characters crammed together inside square brackets – [bcr]at, for instance. This is a character class matching “bat,” “cat,” or “rat.” It defines a set of acceptable characters (b, c, or r) for that specific position.
Pro-tip: Don’t underestimate these seemingly simple tools. Mastering character classes unlocks crazy power. Want to find any vowel? Use [aeiou]. Need any digit? [0-9] is your friend. Ranges like [a-z] grab lowercase letters in one go – saves you loads of typing and makes your regex cleaner and faster.
Advanced Technique: You can negate a character class using a caret (^) inside the brackets. [^abc], for example, will match any character *except* a, b, or c. This is your secret weapon for filtering out unwanted stuff – think of it like ignoring specific enemy types in a difficult level.
What kind of characters could there be?
So, you’re asking about character types? Think broadly, my dudes! We’re talking:
- Humans: Your everyday Joes and Janes, but with a twist. Remember, even the most mundane human can be compelling if you write them right. Think depth, flaws, and motivations.
- Animals: Anthropomorphic or not, animals offer a unique perspective. A talking dog? A cunning fox? Get creative!
- Supernatural/Mythical Beings: Vampires, werewolves, elves, dragons – the possibilities are endless! Remember to establish their lore and powers consistently.
- Gods/Goddesses: Powerful figures with complex agendas. Remember, even gods have flaws, conflicts, and interesting backstories.
- Personified Abstract Entities: Death, Love, War – giving these concepts a face and a voice can create powerful and memorable characters. Think about how you’ll represent their abstract nature.
Character development, or “characterization” as the literary snobs call it, is key. It’s how you bring your characters to life. Don’t just tell me they’re brave; show me through their actions and dialogue. Here’s how you can do that:
- Show, don’t tell: Use actions, dialogue, and internal monologues to reveal personality.
- Give them flaws: Perfect characters are boring. Flaws make them relatable and interesting.
- Develop their backstories: Knowing their past helps to understand their present actions.
- Give them arcs: Characters should change and grow throughout your story. A character arc can be based on their growth, struggles, or the things they overcome.
- Make them consistent (but not predictable): Their actions should align with their personality, but don’t be afraid to surprise your audience with unexpected twists, as long as they still fit the character’s motivations and personality.
And remember, in gaming, especially streaming, player interaction can massively impact character development. Think about how player choices influence your character’s path. It’s a whole other level of dynamic storytelling.
Which character is considered a classic?
The term “classic character” is deceptively simple. It doesn’t refer to a specific individual, but rather an archetype – a fundamental model of a character representing universal patterns of human nature. Think of it as a blueprint for heroes across various narratives.
Defining Qualities: Classic heroes are often defined by their nobility, courage, and heroic deeds. This isn’t about flawless perfection; instead, it’s about consistently demonstrating virtues like bravery, self-sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to a greater good, often in the face of adversity.
Narrative Structure: Classic hero narratives frequently incorporate a “hero’s journey” structure. This involves a call to adventure, crossing a threshold into an unfamiliar world, facing trials and tribulations, achieving a pivotal victory, and returning transformed. This structure, while versatile, provides a framework for exploring themes of growth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving self-discovery.
Beyond the Binary: While traditionally depicted as male, the classic hero archetype has evolved. Modern iterations encompass diverse genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds, broadening the definition of heroism and its representation.
Examples and Nuances: Examining specific characters can illuminate these points. Consider Odysseus’s cunning and resilience, or Beowulf’s physical strength and unwavering loyalty. Even flawed characters, like Hamlet or even anti-heroes, can embody aspects of the classic hero archetype, albeit in complex and often morally ambiguous ways. The key lies in the character’s impact on the narrative and the audience’s perception of their actions and motivations.
Analyzing Classic Heroes: When analyzing a character for classic hero qualities, consider their motivations, the obstacles they overcome, the values they uphold, and the impact their actions have on the story and the audience. This critical lens enables a deeper understanding of storytelling techniques and character development.
What are the four character types and their definitions?
In game design, character archetypes extend beyond a simple protagonist/antagonist dichotomy. While the protagonist, the central character driving the narrative and eliciting player empathy, and the antagonist, the character opposing the protagonist, are fundamental, deeper understanding requires analyzing character arcs. A dynamic character undergoes significant internal change throughout the narrative, often triggered by conflict and leading to growth, learning, or a shift in perspective. This evolution is crucial for player engagement, offering opportunities for rewarding player choices and meaningful character development. Conversely, a static character remains largely unchanged, serving as a foil to the dynamic character or providing narrative stability. However, even static characters can have complex motivations and offer insightful commentary on the narrative’s themes, adding depth and complexity to the story.
Beyond these core types, consider the supporting characters. These often fall into more nuanced archetypes such as the mentor, the sidekick, the antihero (a protagonist with morally questionable actions), or the deuteragonist (a secondary protagonist that is often a close companion to the main protagonist). Understanding these archetypes is critical for balancing gameplay. A compelling antagonist doesn’t just oppose the protagonist; they pose a credible threat, possess relatable motivations (even if morally reprehensible), and ideally, undergo their own form of development – even if it’s a descent into madness or villainy. Similarly, a well-designed dynamic protagonist’s arc should feel organic and believable, driven by in-game choices and experiences, reflecting player agency and investment.
Analyzing character types beyond simple labels enables the creation of more complex and engaging narratives, ultimately contributing to a richer and more memorable player experience. The relationships between characters, their motivations, and how their arcs intertwine significantly affect narrative pacing, conflict resolution, and player emotional investment. For example, a compelling mentor-protagonist relationship can offer narrative depth and guidance, while a clash between a dynamic protagonist and a static antagonist can highlight the protagonist’s growth and the conflict’s resolution.
What are the seven classes of RPGs?
Unleash your inner hero with our epic RPG icon pack! This collection boasts 40 unique icons for each of the 7 most popular RPG classes, giving you unparalleled customization options for your projects.
Dominate the battlefield with these iconic classes:
- Warrior: The stalwart frontline fighter, masters of melee combat and unmatched durability. Expect icons depicting various weapon styles, armor types, and battle stances.
- Priest: The divine healers and spellcasters, wielding the power of light and faith to support their allies. Icons will showcase holy symbols, healing spells, and divine auras.
- Paladin: A blend of martial prowess and holy might, these righteous warriors combine devastating attacks with potent divine magic. Expect iconography emphasizing both combat and sacred power.
- Rogue: Masters of stealth, deception, and deadly precision, these shadowy figures excel in both subterfuge and assassination. Expect icons illustrating daggers, stealth techniques, and shadowy appearances.
- Druid: Harnessing the power of nature, these shape-shifters command the elements and wild beasts. Icons will reflect their connection to nature, including animals, plants, and elemental magic.
- Archer/Ranger: Skilled marksmen who deal devastating ranged attacks. Expect icons showing various bow types, arrows, and hunting skills.
- Mage: Wielders of arcane power, these spellcasters command destructive and supportive magic. Icons will showcase elemental spells, magical staffs, and mystical symbols.
With 40 unique variations per class, you’ll find the perfect icon to represent every aspect of your RPG adventure!
What are 10 existing classes?
Yo, what’s up, peeps? So, you’re asking about 10th grade, right? There isn’t a fixed list of 10 “classes” – it’s way more nuanced than that. High school’s all about specialization, you know? Think of it like choosing your own adventure.
Basically, there are five main tracks in most senior high schools:
- Natural Sciences: This is your biology, chemistry, physics route. Think lab coats, microscopes, and maybe even some cool dissections. Great if you’re aiming for med school, engineering, or related fields.
- Humanities: More into literature, history, philosophy? This is your jam. Expect lots of reading, writing essays, and maybe even some debates. Perfect for future writers, historians, lawyers, and the like.
- Socio-Economic: Interested in the world around you – economics, politics, sociology? This track covers all that. If you want to go into business, political science, or social work, this is a solid choice.
- Technology: Coding, robotics, design – this is for tech-heads. Expect to learn practical skills that are super in-demand these days. Think software engineering, game design, web development… the possibilities are endless.
- Universal/General: This is more of a balanced approach, touching on all the above areas. It’s a good option if you’re not totally sure which direction you want to go yet, or if you want a broader education.
Pro-tip: Within each of these tracks, you’ll have a ton of elective choices, so you can still customize your learning experience. Don’t just pick a track based on what your friends are doing – think about what *you* genuinely enjoy and what future you envision for yourself.
Another pro-tip: Talk to your guidance counselor! They’re goldmines of information and can help you plan your course load to match your goals.
- Research colleges and universities you might be interested in and see what courses they emphasize.
- Look at job descriptions in fields that interest you to see what skills are needed.
What are the seven classes?
7th Grade Curriculum Overview: A Competitive Esports Analyst’s Perspective
The 7th-grade curriculum presents a foundational skillset applicable to various esports disciplines. Russian Language, Literature cultivate communication and narrative skills vital for team coordination and content creation. Foreign Language (Spanish or English) expands communication reach, crucial for international collaborations and understanding global esports communities. Algebra and Geometry provide essential problem-solving skills applicable to strategic game planning, resource management (in games like StarCraft or Dota 2), and understanding complex game mechanics. Informatics is directly relevant to developing game mods, understanding game engines, and programming competitive AI. Finally, History and Social Studies provide a broader context for understanding esports as a cultural phenomenon, its evolution, and its impact on society, equipping students for roles in esports journalism or management.
What is a class in the game?
In RPGs, character classes are more than just a label; they’re a multifaceted system impacting gameplay significantly. They bundle together specific abilities and skill proficiencies, often shaping your character’s backstory and social standing, sometimes even dictating behavioral limitations. Think of them as archetypes, pre-built character templates designed to streamline character creation and offer a defined role within the game’s mechanics.
Classes often dictate your character’s strengths and weaknesses, influencing combat strategies and preferred equipment. A warrior class might excel in close-quarters combat, while a mage focuses on ranged spellcasting. This built-in structure simplifies the decision-making process, allowing players to focus on roleplaying and strategic choices rather than getting bogged down in granular stat allocation and skill selection.
However, classes aren’t universally rigid. Many modern RPGs offer significant customization options *within* a class, allowing players to specialize further. For instance, a warrior class might branch into sub-classes like a battlemage or a berserker, each offering unique gameplay styles. This hybrid approach blends the structure and accessibility of classes with the player agency to create a truly unique character.
Furthermore, the impact of a class extends beyond combat. It can inform your character’s interactions with NPCs, opening or closing certain dialogue options and quest opportunities. A priestly class might gain favor with religious figures, whereas a rogue might find more success in stealth and deception. Understanding the social implications of your class is critical for a complete and immersive experience.
Ultimately, character classes provide a framework for player expression and strategic depth. They offer a balance between pre-defined roles and player agency, facilitating both ease of entry for new players and advanced customization for seasoned veterans.
What kind of hero is there?
The concept of a “hero” is multifaceted and far more nuanced than a simple binary of “good” versus “evil.” While we readily encounter heroes in fairy tales, films, animations, and literature, their representation transcends simplistic archetypes.
Categorizing Heroes: Beyond the Obvious
- Archetypal Classifications: Heroes are often categorized by their function within the narrative. This can include the classic hero’s journey archetype (e.g., the reluctant hero, the tragic hero), the anti-hero (a morally gray character with heroic actions), or even the trickster figure who subverts expectations.
- Moral Alignment: The traditional “good” vs. “evil” dichotomy is overly simplistic. Consider the spectrum of morality: A hero might exhibit both positive and negative traits, making their actions morally ambiguous. Their motivations, and the consequences of their actions, must be carefully considered.
- Narrative Roles: Heroes are not solely defined by their morality but also by their role in the story. A protagonist might not always be the “hero” in the traditional sense, while a seemingly minor character might exhibit heroic qualities in their actions.
Exploring Hero Attributes:
- Positive Attributes: Courage, bravery, selflessness, resilience, empathy, intelligence, and resourcefulness are frequently associated with heroic figures. However, the manifestation of these traits can vary drastically between characters.
- Negative Attributes: Even positive heroes can possess flaws, such as arrogance, recklessness, or a tendency towards violence. These flaws can add depth and realism to the character, making them more relatable and compelling.
- The Impact of Context: The definition of a “hero” is inherently contextual. A hero’s actions are judged not only by their inherent morality but also by the social and cultural norms of their world. A hero in one narrative might be a villain in another.
Developing Compelling Heroes: Understanding the complexity of the hero archetype is crucial for creating engaging and believable characters. Consider not only their actions but also their motivations, internal conflicts, and the impact they have on the story’s world and other characters.
Are there different types of heroes?
Yo, so you wanna know about hero types? It’s way more nuanced than you think. We’re talking personality – that’s the hero’s individual quirks, their backstory, what makes ’em tick. Think brooding loner, cheerful goofball, ruthless strategist – the whole shebang. Then there’s the archetype, which is basically their role in the story. Are they the reluctant hero, the noble savior, the trickster? That dictates how they interact with the other characters. And finally, their function – what do they *do*? Do they represent hope, justice, revenge? This is what resonates with the audience, the message they deliver.
Let’s dig deeper. Personality can be broken down into traits like introversion/extroversion, morality, and even their powers or fighting style. Archetypes? Think Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” – that’s a whole framework right there, showing up in games forever. Common archetypes include the Mentor, the Shadow, the Trickster, and the Jester, each adding a different flavor to the story. And their function? That’s where you get the real emotional impact. Is the hero fighting for a greater good, or is it all personal revenge? The function often ties to the overall theme of the game.
Pro-tip: Understanding these three aspects – personality, archetype, and function – is crucial for character design. It’s what separates a generic hero from a truly memorable one. Think about your favorite video game characters – you probably already know which archetype and function they fit into. It’s all about that depth, man.
Who exemplifies a classic hero?
Analyzing the archetype of the classic hero, as defined by Hesiod, reveals a key differentiator: temporal distance. These figures weren’t simply exceptional individuals; they were separated from contemporary humanity by a significant historical chasm, a “century of experience” filled with glorious deeds that elevated them towards the divine. This temporal distance isn’t merely chronological; it’s crucial to understanding their mythical impact and enduring appeal.
Heracles (Hercules) serves as a prime example. His mythos offers several game design insights:
- Overcoming insurmountable odds: Heracles’ twelve labors represent a compelling narrative structure for games. Each labor can be a distinct level or quest, escalating in difficulty and thematic significance. This provides a satisfying sense of progression and accomplishment for the player.
- Moral ambiguity: While often portrayed as a champion of good, Heracles displays moments of brutality and questionable morality. This nuanced portrayal adds depth and complexity, creating a more realistic and relatable character compared to a purely archetypal “good guy”. Game developers can utilize this to explore moral choices and branching narratives.
- Character growth and transformation: Heracles’ journey is not merely about completing tasks; it’s about personal growth, learning from mistakes, and evolving as a hero. This dynamic arc is essential for creating engaging protagonists in games. We see this in games that emphasize player agency and impact on their character’s development.
Further, consider the impact of the “divine” element. The near-godlike abilities of Heracles can be translated into game mechanics. Think of:
- Unique power progression systems: Instead of a linear skill tree, Heracles’ abilities could unlock in specific narrative moments, reinforcing the story’s impact.
- God-like powers with limitations: Heracles’ strength is matched by his vulnerabilities. This dynamic can be represented through stamina systems, mana pools, or specific weaknesses within the game mechanics.
- Narrative integration of divine intervention: Moments of divine aid or divine intervention can create unpredictable gameplay events or shift power balances, adding depth and excitement.
Therefore, Heracles isn’t just a historical figure; he’s a rich source of inspiration for game design, demonstrating how the classic hero archetype can be translated into engaging and compelling game mechanics and narrative structures.
How can the character be described?
Character Archetype & Role: Start by identifying the hero’s archetype (e.g., the underdog, the mentor, the anti-hero). Pinpoint their central role within the narrative’s overall structure – are they the protagonist, antagonist, deuteragonist, or a supporting character with significant influence? This helps understand their motivations and narrative purpose.
Background & Setting: Delve into the hero’s societal standing, family dynamics, and the environment shaping them. Consider the game’s world-building: does their background reflect common tropes or offer unique insights into the game’s lore and mechanics? How does their setting directly influence their personality, skills, and challenges?
Visual Presentation & Demeanor: Analyze their visual design – character model, animations, and costumes. How does their visual presentation communicate their personality, status, and role? Consider their mannerisms and body language during gameplay; how do these contribute to their overall characterization?
Dialogue & Voice Acting: Examine their dialogue, voice acting, and communication style. Does their speech reflect their personality, background, or emotional state? Is their voice acting effective in conveying their character arc and emotional range?
Gameplay Mechanics & Agency: This is crucial for game characters. How does the player interact with the hero? What agency does the player have over their actions, decisions, and development? Are there choices that significantly alter their personality or trajectory? Analyze how their in-game actions shape the narrative and other characters’ responses.
Impact & Relationships: Evaluate their impact on the narrative and other characters. How do their actions affect the plot’s progression? Do they form meaningful relationships with NPCs, and how do these relationships shape their character arc? Are they a catalyst for change in the game world?