Making a Video Game Character Into a OC!
If you have to battle the urge to play games when you want to draw like me, it might be time to merge your interests! By my estimate, there are two ways to turn your video game character into a brand new OC:
- Turn your customizable character into a new OC; whether for the fandom or not!
- Turn your boring, un-customizable player character (who probably doesn't talk) into a version of that character unique to you!
Before we get into it though, here are some other articles to help you out:
By myself:
By my co-writer:
- 🌙Choosing an Outfit for your OCs!
- 🌙Choosing a Hairstyle for your OCs!
- 🌙Choosing an Eye Design for your OCs!
- 🌙Choosing a Weapon and Accessories for your OCs!
- 🌙Choosing Unique Details for your OC!
- 🌙Choosing a Signature Make-up Look for your OCs!
Customizable Characters
Ah, the main appeal of games for some! What’s better than a game where you can live the dream of having an expansive wardrobe of cute and cool outfits and accessories?
Now, the simplest way to go about making your player character into an OC is just to take the look and attach a name and backstory. But, maybe you’re interested in using the game lore to help develop something unique and disconnected from the original game protagonist. There are a few ways to go about it, so let’s tackle them independently.
Playing with the character creator in games is always fun! Sometimes, you only have so many options with outfits; pre-designed armour sets in games like Monster Hunter would be a good example.
However, as creators, we have the ability to change our references into something uniquely different on the page. Consider more limited customizers as templates and references for your own design. Maybe your character wears a uniform, but they’ve customized it in some way. Or, you dislike the colours of a certain outfit you otherwise love, and change it up in your own art or writing.
When it comes to more expansive creators that let you design things like...:
- Faces (face shape, skin tone, eye shape)
- Hair (hair style, hair colors)
- Individual items (tattoos, glasses, etc)
- Outfits (uniforms, daily wear, pajamas)
- Accessories (rings, necklaces, piercing, etc)
- and more!
...there is a lot more potential for choices (obviously).
Games like The Sims are a fantastic example of character customization, featuring a thriving modding and customization community. Though, sometimes having too many options can be overwhelming. In cases like that, pick a theme or a certain character you want to make, and try stuff out! Like I mentioned above, worst comes to worst, you can change things in your own work.
If you're interested in finding some games on Steam with character customization, you can find them here.
(If you need any design help, check out the links at the start of the article by my co-writer!)
Making OCs out of Non-Customizable Characters
Everyone has a different interpretation of their player characters, especially when they are silent protagonists. This means, they’re perfect for making into OCs! Well, aside from having a set, canon appearance. But not to worry! Here are some ways to OC-ify your boring ol’ player character:
- Change the character’s hair colour, style, or texture.
- Change up the outfit’s design, colour, and style.
- Make up your own original backstory and relationships with the other characters.
- Give them your own interpretation of their voice.
It’s just a few basic things, but customizing your player character into an OC really can connect you to them and the greater world they exist in. After creating your own version of your player character with their own history and personality, you might enjoy the game even more!
Consider how you tend to play the game, and what you prioritize. Maybe you ignore a certain mechanic completely, or you tend to explore dungeons instead of farm, or you stock buy a certain healing item and throw yourself into harsh battles to get more experience. Take your gameplay habits and entwine them into your new OC to further separate them from their original, plain self.
By the way… did you see the big news?! Unvale has just had a MAJOR UPDATE! Check out this blog post by Brilovely for more information. Try searching for your favourite games in the new worlds and writing search tabs, and leave loads of comments. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new bestie who loves your favourite games as much as you do!
If you want an example of a master of videogame OCs, check out StarKorg! At present, they have 48 character pages. 48 times nine OCs per page and… dang, that’s a lot of OCs! Give them a few favourites and ask them for help creating video game inspired OCs, you won’t be disappointed.