Character Design: The Difference Between a Good and Great Casino Game

In casual games - this very much includes slot machines - character design is about more than just pretty visuals - it's the difference between a good game and a great one. The right character transforms the entire game, creating deeper engagement and connection between your game and the player.

There are thousands upon thousands of casino games, mostly slot machines, that you can play online today. Not counting licensed games, where the characters come from pop culture, those with a good character design seem to be the most successful ones. Let’s take a look at some examples of how a good character took these games to the next level.

Let’s See Some Examples

Good characters give slot machines personality and a backstory. Their protagonists took these games from good to great:

Gonzo, inspired by Gonzalo Pizarro, is a fearless conquistador. He was the brother of Francisco Pizarro, and his quest for El Dorado is the stuff of legends. The perfect backdrop for a slot machine where the player’s goal is pretty much the same.

Rich Wilde is the “Allan Quartermain” type - a treasure hunter and adventurer. He explores the mysteries of ancient civilizations. And their treasures, too. Rich is the protagonist of an entire series of Play'n GO slot machines covering everything from Egypt to South America.

The Reactoonz from Play’n GO’s “Toonz” series are a bunch of critters - aliens, maybe, or the result of an experiment by a mad scientist. The critters make faces and behave in different ways throughout the game. Later games in the series present the scientist himself, Dr. Toonz, and the place where the Reactoonz were born.

Good vs Great Character Design

Many games feature a main character. But many of these characters are generic - nothing to write home about. There’s nothing special about them. They have no personality, and they are utterly forgettable. Many of them are variations on the same character - a leprechaun, a magician, or something similar.

Good characters have a personality. They have a backstory, they have motivation, and they interact with the player. Yes, even in games as simple as slot machines. Designing these characters involves more than just visuals - they include thoughtfulness in how their story is woven into the gameplay, and how they can enhance it.

How to Create a Good Character

Slot machines are not like other casual games - their characters are not normally active, and the players don’t interact with them. This is what makes it harder to create good characters for them.

• Visuals: It’s vital for the characters to be a good fit for the theme of the game. It has to stand out visually, to capture the players’ attention - and to earn their sympathy.
• Personality: The best characters have at least some backstory and a distinct personality. Rich Wilde is the fearless adventurer archetype, while Gonzo is a goofy but brave conquistador. This makes them memorable.
• Animation: Your characters have to move and react to what happens on the screen in ways that feel lifelike.
• Consistency: The character has to be consistent with the game’s theme. To stick to the above example, no matter how well Gonzo is designed, he wouldn’t look natural in Reactoonz.

Character design is a powerful tool - too bad it’s only used sporadically. The games of many studios feel like they’ve been manufactured on an assembly line, with only minor differences between them. This is why games like Reactoonz or Gonzo’s Quest are so valuable - they come with the dedication and attention to detail to set them apart.