I would like to add another sign that reads: “The author of video game characterization is the player.” So much time is wasted doing ‘characterization’ of crappy NPCs and ‘main protagonists’ as if the game developers are trying to make a movie, an anime, or a comic book. The fundamental nature of the video game is that the player is the performer.
Video games are interesting only when they reflect who we are. Cheaters will cheat. Losers will lose. Rage quitters will rage quit. Cautious people play cautiously. Show me someone’s Civilization game, and I will tell you interesting things about their character.
And you know what? The masters of characterization in other mediums will tell you the same exact thing. In the movie, they made you feel as if you WERE the character. The novel was written in such a way where you felt like you were the character. Good characterization is not about making special snowflakes but about holding a mirror up to the audience.
Video games are not a ONE WAY STREET. They have input! The player’s unique responses should create the characterization of the video game. Games that don’t do this are always called ‘bad’. Games that do this are fun to watch and considered ‘interesting’.
At one point, Isaac Newton wonders why they are playing “this ridiculous game.” Listen to Data’s answer. Games are not about exploring the facets of the game or the fiction within the game… they are about exploring the facets of the players who play them.