Survey Results: RPG Character Creator

To make sure I was on the right track with coming up with concepts for my characters, I made a quiz asking various questions relating to the visual elements of each character. I used the characters I created using the RPG heroine creator.

I will explain my reasoning for each question below and share the results, and how they have helped/ affected my work.

Here is the survey to see for yourself: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFYhQ2HZs5XRaf5WG_KfdHbGALRXi8IUY24kTKaRaKREdQPA/viewform?usp=sf_link

In the introduction, I explained the reasoning for this survey, looking into colour, semiotics and visual indicators. I included this so people knew what the survey was about instead of just throwing questions out there, as I hoped this way I would get more serious responses.

I then inserted a picture of all 3 characters I created in the RPG character creation as the questions relate to these characters.

Which character do you think is most likely to be a rogue/assassin and which visual elements led you to come to this decision? (Left, Middle or Right)

I asked three variations of this question, one for each class (Fighter/Warrior, Rogue/Assassin and Mage/Sorceress). This was to see if people could instantly recognise who each character was from the colours, clothing, hairstyles and so on. I also asked what visual elements let them to their decision so that I had an insight of what other people think make up a certain class. This would help me get a good idea whether I've successfully designed these characters according to their class, and if not I could maybe see where I went wrong and alter my ideas.

Responses

Out of the 5 people who took this survey 5/5 got these questions right, which is really good news and reassuring for me.

For the rogue, some mentions of visual elements were the black trousers, dagger, "pirate like swagger" and the boots. These are some things I could take into consideration when adjusting my designs.

Do you think I was successful in designing this character to be a mage, more specifically a mage who uses light magic?

I asked this question as I wanted to be assured that my ideas for each class were justifiable and that others agreed with me, as I'm not designing these characters for myself but for a game concept.

Responses

Everyone answered yes, which leads me to believe I'm on the right track idea wise for the mage.

Choose up to three words you would use to describe this character (Mage)

I wanted to find out if I got across not only the characters class, but also their personalities through their visual elements. I want the audience to be able to tell who the characters are and what they are light through their visual representation so that they are memorable and successful characters.

Responses

Happy, Kind and Friendly are the top chosen, which is exactly what I was hoping for. The mage is a happy, sweet person and I'm happy that I could get that across.

What do you like/dislike about this character?

I ask this to help me know what people like and dislike, to influence my work. I have my own likes and dislikes but it's good to have insight from people who are my target audience as that is who I am designing these characters for.

Responses

High heels. I am not entirely sure whether this was a like or dislike, so I can;t really comment on this. Perhaps I should of done 2 separate questions for likes and dislikes.

She looks very elegant and pure, a good representation of light. I am assuming this is a like about the character, and I am happy with this response. My mage's powers are light magic so for someone to say she is a good representation of light confirms that I am going in the right track with the mage.

The majestic vibe. I am again assuming this is a like about the character. Mages can be seen as majestic so I think this comment is positive and confirms that my ideas are justified.

The hair. I am not sure if this is a like or a dislike so I can't really say much on this.

Do you think i was successful in designing this character to be a rogue/assassin?

I ask this question for the same reasons stated above, but with the mage/sorceress.

Responses

5/5 people said yes. This gives me great confidence that I designed the rogue well.

Choose up to three words you would use to describe this character

The top answers for this were Confident and suspicious. Some other answers that were chosen were Shy, fierce, icy/cold, chill, happy, sad and frustrated.

There are a wide range of answers here but it is mostly what I wanted. This character is mostly shy, suspicious and icy/cold. Though she is also confident. Maybe I could get visually communicate her shyness, suspiciousness and iciness in a better way, but how?

What do you like/dislike about this character?

I ask this to help me know what people like and dislike, to influence my work. I have my own likes and dislikes but it's good to have insight from people who are my target audience as that is who I am designing these characters for.

Responses

There were a few "not sure"'s for this one, but I think that's due to people laziness in answering the questions.

I love the hair and how it looks sleek, she looks slender and agile. This is a good response. Slender and agile are usually traits of a rogue, so I'm very happy someone mentioned that. It gives me confidence with my ideas.

The blue striking hair. I'm taking this as a like from the way that It's written out. To say that the blue hair is striking means that it stands out, meaning that compared to my other characters she will stand out. I want all my characters to stand out in their own way so this is good.

The boots. Again not sure if this is a like or dislike so I can;t really say much about it.

Do you think i was successful in designing this character to be a warrior/fighter?

I asked this question as I wanted to be assured that my ideas for each class were justifiable and that others agreed with me, as I'm not designing these characters for myself but for a game concept.

Responses

Everyone answered yes, making me feel confident that I was successful in designing this warrior.

Choose up to three words you would use to describe this character

The top choices for this question were mean, fierce, confident and suspicious. With angry, zero chill, and icy/cold also being some that were chosen.

This character is fierce, tough and a little mean. She can also be angry at times. Most of the answers chosen match what I was trying to go with which makes me feel like I'm going in the right direction with this character.

what do you like/dislike about this character?

Not enough armour. I agree with this comment, but that is due to that fact that I was limited in what I could choose clothing wise, and there was not a lot of armour choices. I will keep this in mind when designing my warrior.

Reminds me of Dragon Age, the red battle armour shows she is ready to fight. This is good response. Dragon age is a game that I looked at when thinking of ideas, and a game that would be similar to my game idea (as in the time period, and the fact that it is an open world RPG). The mention that the red battle armour showing that shes ready to fight makes me think that the colour scheme for this character is spot on.

The sense of battleship in her hezrt5. (I assume that means heart) The fact thgat this character has given this person a sense of battleship means that I am on the right track. This character is a warrior, so battleship would relate to that.

Dislike the dress. I wish this person expanded on why they disliked the dress but it's some criticism that I could take into account.

Conclusion

I am overall very happy with how this survey turned out. Although only 5 people took it, which isn't really enough for complete accurate results, I am working with that I got. The responses were mostly positive towards the characters I created using the RPG Heroine Character Creator. People matched up the characters to the correct class at a glance and guessed their personality. All of this suggests to me that I am on the right track for these characters and that I should defiantly use these characters as inspiration for my own characters.

I wish I had done a separate question each for likes and dislikes, so it would make peoples answering more clear.

From this I can continue on with designing my characters, taking into account what others have said, to develop my own ideas.