Reading Response Wk8

I believe the avatars players portrayed in games are one of the most important factors of the game. Avatars that are idealized or aesthetically pleasing in appearance could not only extend the playtime but also increase the sales of the game. No matter how good the game is, there would always be complaints and even excuses for not buying the game, if the avatar is considered “ugly”.  One of the examples I encountered is the game Horizon Forbidden West, where a lot of people complain online about how ugly the protagonist Aloy is before even playing the game, even though Aloy is an extremely charismatic character with a well-portrayed storyline and a powerful character arc. In contrast, the Halo series is one of the most popular first-person shooting games in the last 20 years, in which the protagonist is a masked hero called Master Chief.  A character whose appearance is largely concealed also helps idealize the character and consequently allows for a better play experience. Being able to customize an avatar to look more like ourselves or idealized versions of ourselves can lead to greater immersion and interest in a game. It is interesting to recall how I would spend hours customizing the appearance of my characters no matter how much freedom I have in controlling the look of my avatar. From sculpting or scanning the face to choosing the right outfit, even the freedom of changing hairstyles could help players be more connected to the avatar.  

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