discussion What are you expecting visually in a female protagonist?

[scmlscmlsdnvln]

I was wondering as I am starting to do some developing for myself, what are you looking for in a female protagonist? Like whats the most important? Face, Figure, Realism, Skin?
Also what is something, that most devs miss out on in your opinion?

 

[373578807]

Character design is a complex craft. Most players gravitate toward characters they like through specific tags — things like body type, occupation, personality traits, and so on. What truly makes a work stand out, however, is the subsequent characterization of its cast. It’s hard to put into words. It all comes down to how deeply you develop a character concept, and how many people end up clicking with it on a personal level.

 

[373578807]

After all, some character designs blow up purely because of little details like the indentations on thighs where stockings dig into soft flesh… or even just a single cute animation gesture.

 

[zipzopbop]

The immersion is the most important thing for me. Depending on the style, that might manifest as different visual elements because features can be exaggerated to a degree but still be immersive. The writing and word choice is the most important for me. But if you're looking for visual markers, I'd say embrace your style and be consistent!

 

[Skux]

Protagonist design especially is too complicated to answer well in a thread like this, so here's questions to chew on instead.

Are they a player insert or a fully realized character?

If they're a blank-slate player insert, then even a tiny bit of customization goes a LONG way.
Just allowing hair color customization adds a huge amount of attachment to them imo.

If they've got their own personality then it's more complicated, especially with a female MC, especially especially in a adult game.
In my mind the safest bet is to get a design you think is cool and then think "What would this character change about this design if they were looking in a mirror?"

Are you expecting the player to protect the MC, Lara Croft style? Do they need to be doted on and sympathetic? Innocent but with wiggle room to be corrupted?

What's your expected playerbase? Are you expecting the player to roleplay as them?
Fantasize about all the hot studs you're putting around her? Drop the pretense and make everyone lesbian chicks with dicks?
Is the point to lewd the MC or the NPCs? Who are they appealing to?