discussion Number of game Characters

[_willowned_]

5 or 6 is usually best.

 

[LewisCarroll]

In a game, I can keep track of 5-6, but prefer only 2-3 to really pay attention to. In books, Game of Thrown's and Wheel of Time were tiresome in that regard. When Jordan passed I stopped at book 9 and Sandrson started the series up again I just couldn't get back into it. I'd forgotten half the character's by that time. Too many characters can be the death of a good game or book.

 

[arcanlol]

I think the problem can be split in two:
1. The rate at which characters are introduced
2. Forgetting who is who because of a combination of a big cast and the passage of time (which is only present because games are played before they're finished, and then re-visited much later when it has more updates)

Some games have implemented an in-game quick ref (or the slightly less effective option, a resource available outside the game), which can be helpful.

Anyway, regarding point 1, I generally think less is more. Some devs keep introducing characters before the existing ones have had time to become interesting, and too often they'll just exist "in a vacuum" - i.e. they don't get tied into the already on-going story. That's not to say new characters should never be introduced, but (as a dev) introducing a new character just because they want a certain archetype of character into the story, without thinking of how it fits into the existing story as a whole, can often detract from the story - even if they have a plan of "how it will make sense in the future".

 

[Seo In-guk]

Well, everyone has their opinion and preference, for me I don't have a problem because I do like more female characters since I am a team_harem, if there is no harem label or it puts too many characters then I ask myself the question why it does the madness of so many women and doesn't want to release a harem route: v

 

[SupreTiso]

If there are too many characters, I wont be able to remember all of them

 

[TrirXD]

As mentioned, yeah, too many characters and its hard to keep track. Especially with time away awaiting for updates. Have had times when go back after playing other games and see a character and have to try and remember who they are.

 

[ZD100]

Many characters but most games become cluttered when the scene tries to portrait the reaction of more than 3 characters interacting with each other

 

[Rad_eater]

Depends. If the game is like "you live with your sister and your mom" then I don't want to meet the neighbor, the neighbors daughter, the neighbors son, the neighbors daughters best friend, the random girl walking down the road or the random girl walking down the roads mother. I want to focus on the mom and sister. If the story is like "here's a hotel of skanks" then fuck it. Bring 'em on.

 

[xatfx]

With a harem...so lots of pretty girls

 

[Freveiss]

Depends on my mood.
I frequently like a game with a small handful of characters.

But I do sometimes like the full harem, lots of grils..
I do get that story is much easier with a few characters, the connections and relationships are better and stronger. With lots of characters the connections become much more forced by writer and therefore weak.

 

[jabax69]

Variety is the spice of life. I think it can be overdone though

 

[User_160778]

I believe 4 or 5 is okay.

 

[SavageDaddy923]

LI's? 10 or less in a harem game.

 

[MercurioC]

I like having a variety of characters, but not so many that none of them get enough development. It’s nice when each one feels distinct and adds something meaningful to the story, rather than just being there to fill space

 

[18zzz]

3-4 is ideal

 

[mikeyk]

I don't mind the amount so long as there is sufficient variation between them

 

[ghvgb]

i dont mind more characters but if its one meeting you instantly sleep with them then it sucks

 

[depisher]

I prefer it when there are fewer heroes because then there is a greater chance that the game will be completed. Most often, the game is created by one person and when the story is divided into many characters, the game rarely ends

 

[Cyberi]

The more the better.

 

[MercurioC]

I prefer games with a smaller cast of characters—my maximum is around 10. When there are too many characters, it often becomes difficult to give each one the proper development they deserve. With a more focused group, the story has room to explore their backgrounds, motivations, and relationships in depth. It creates a stronger emotional connection and makes the overall experience more engaging and memorable. Quality over quantity always wins when it comes to character-driven narratives.