Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

[peasant]

Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

It seems in Diablo 3, Blizzard seems to be investing a greater interest in developing the characters we'll be playing by giving them more personality and creating different interactions and dialog depending on which class you choose. Right up to now, all the protagonists in the whole of the Diablo franchise have either had a serious superiority or messianic complex... which makes it kind of boring. They definitely lack the spark and uniqueness of some of the NPCs, such as Gheed in Diablo 2.

Which is why I'm wondering if it would fit having a less headstrong, more humorous character as one of the classes. By this, I mean a person who's not saving the world because it's noble or a challenge but simply because he is getting dragged along for the ride. Despite facing the minions of Hell, he protests the entire way and grows more and more incredulous at the increasingly dangerous situations he finds himself in.

Make no mistake, by no means am I suggesting that he's incompetent or an incapable warrior. Rather, he's well skilled but simply pragmatic. He is rather cowardly and somewhat the universe's chew toy. Think of him a little bit like Rincewind (from Terry Pratchett's books) but unable to run away.

 

[GoldenBird]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Interesting idea, though I think some will argue that it will take the "seriousness" out of the game and make it less dark.

I like your idea; even though it may not match the atmosphere as much, I think everything needs a little humor.

 

[Leugi]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

A tragedian (http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=715067) could fit there in an interesting way, pretty much like an actor that suddenly is in the middle of the battle and has nothing else to give but his normal skills, mwahahaha.

That or a swashbuckler with too much pride.

 

[BigKevSexyMan]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

*in-character*What is with these demons? Didn't we get rid of these guys in diablo 2? Why are they still here?


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Anyways, I suppose a comedic character personality isn't so bad. As long as it's not slapstick or the like.

 

[akboy]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

I like the idea, but "comedic" isn't the right term. I think you're looking for an antihero type of character.

 

[squid knight]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

although it is supposed to be a serious game, i don't think a little comic relief would be out of place. few great adventure stories are completely without it.

 

[peasant]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

I like the idea, but "comedic" isn't the right term. I think you're looking for an antihero type of character.

Not at all. I'm not talking about some trenchcoat wearing badass but more along the lines of the guy who's being bullied into saving the world.

 

[akboy]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Not at all. I'm not talking about some trenchcoat wearing badass but more along the lines of the guy who's being bullied into saving the world.

It would help if you could give a specific example of a comedic character. Is there in an example from some other game, movie or TV show?

I'm having a hard time picturing this kind of character. If he's not tough enough to stand up against the people who are bullying him into saving the world, how could he stand a chance against Diablo and his minions?

 

[Grug]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

So essentially, Marius.

No. You're not exactly "caught up" into saving the world in Diablo. The player is not the Chosen One or anything, and unlike Rincewind there aren't other circumstances forcing you to do what Fate or Lady Luck tells you. If a person like you described was in the game, he or she would just stay in town.

Marius was different because he was a sort of "chosen one". He was compelled to follow the wanderer and acquired the Soulstone. But even he gave up after a while.

 

[Snarf]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Like the Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino kind of funny? :evil:

 

[Telzen]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Anyone here read The Wheel of Time? Mat Cauthon kind of fits this but he's not really a chew toy. Someone who'd rather have fun at a tavern and avoid battle but also has a sense of responsibility. So they always find themselves saving others and doing amazing things while also declaring they aren't a hero.

 

[djfriesen]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Anyone think about Indiana Jones when reading this thread? I always appreciate Indy's penchant for irony and humor in the most seemingly desperate times of physical danger. I think I would want Indiana fighting Diablo by my side...

How about that for a mixed metaphor...

 

[Telzen]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Better hope we don't fight any snakes.

 

[DemolitionSquid]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

 

[djfriesen]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Viper Charmer Shrine

"You no long fear snakes."

problem solved

 

[knightmawko]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

This sounds like the guy in Lost Odysey, not the main charecter I forgot who it was now, its been a while but the mage guy.

Anyways, this seems more suited for a game with parties or much more cinematic oriented, like Lost Odysey. I suppose you could do the diolouges like when you enter areas or beat bosses
-Kill Diablo, get a small semi useful drop- "Thats it? What the hell did I do all that for?"
-Enter Tristram "This place smells like" Interupted "I was gunna say...uhm... magic, yeah, I smell magic in the air" (Make some clever allusions, this could be fun to play with hah.

 

[DragonChi]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

its an interesting and intriguing concept. there are 2 sides of the coin to look at when considering a character like that. one being that, the game is meant to be dark, Gothic, melodramatic..etc etc. so it would seem that a comic character would be a sore thumb and may ruin the games atmosphere. however, having said that, the other side of that coin would be. it could be a very relieving and enjoyable change of pace, if executed properly. i'm not saying id want a Seinfeld character walk'n through the game, that's just beyond ridiculous. but a fellow that is light hearted, doesn't take the atmosphere as seriously and kinda riffs on things lightly. kinda like Dr. Peter Venkman from Ghostbusters. :crazyeyes:

 

[knightmawko]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

It would help if you could give a specific example of a comedic character. Is there in an example from some other game, movie or TV show?

I'm having a hard time picturing this kind of character. If he's not tough enough to stand up against the people who are bullying him into saving the world, how could he stand a chance against Diablo and his minions?

The guy from Lost Odyey, the mage was a huge source of laughter in that game.

 

[AxlStrife]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

We already have one. WD

J/K

 

[Nighthavk]

Re: Is There Room for a Comedic Character?

Wait, haven't they done it with Necromancer in D2?

I don't know about you, but save for the death of Diablo, anything Necromancer says crack me up. And his "Lord Diablo, I have bested you..." is despite his humour one of the coolest lines ever.