Better Game Characters by Design- P3: The game industry is a powerful and driving force in the evolution of computer technology. As the capabilities of personal computers, peripheral hardware, and game consoles have grown, so has the demand for quality information about the algorithms, tools, and descriptions needed to take advantage of this new technology. To satisfy this demand and establish a new level of professional reference for the game developer, we created the Morgan Kaufmann Series in Interactive 3D Technology | CHAPTER TWO PRACTICAL QUESTIONS DOMINANCE FRIENDLINESS AND PERSONALITY table Dominance cue list. Dominant Submissive Face More eye contact may stare looks away more often when listening Less eye contact but more when listening avoids staring more smiling Body Open calm stance takes up more physical space moves less may use emphatic large gestures may touch less dominant people occasionally Nervous closed stance may frequently touch self hair face etc. may keep head lower Voice Louder more controlling of the conversation Softer follows other s lead in conversation It helps when highlighting cues of dominance to see cues of the alternative submissiveness. Figure illustrates these differences. Jak and Daxter makes use of dominance cues to manage the player s reactions to characters. The player-character Figure is a stereotypically dominant figure tall healthy and strong he uses wide body movements and has a calm steady FIGURE Cues of dominance and submissiveness in face and body. 32 THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES FIGURE Jak has a typically dominant larger muscular body type and also displays cues of dominance in his posture calm taking up extra space. Jak and Daxter The Precursor Legacy is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Created and developed by Naughty Dog Inc. 2001 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. demeanor during game play. He stares openly at other characters and does not make any of the nervous movements expected of a less dominant figure. In contrast the Egg Lady Figure a villager that Jak encounters has a much more submissive demeanor. A small oddly dressed old woman she starts out lower than Jak in the stereotypical social hierarchy. Her submissive gestures add another FIGURE The Egg Lady has a much less dominant body posture than Jak has. See Clip to watch her in motion. Jak and Daxter The Precursor Legacy is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Created
