There is a lot that goes into making a video game an enjoyable experience. The developers have to think about the storyline, scenery, game mechanics, etc., but there is one thing that follows the player throughout the entirety of the game and must be more developed than anything else. This is the protagonist.

How often is it that you take time to sit and think about what really makes a great character? I can tell you from experience that it's not something I spend a lot of time pondering, but this subject is certainly one that is owed serious thought. So, if you will, come on this journey with me for the better understanding of what makes a good protagonist and how it affects the overall gaming experience.

The easiest way to do this is to cite examples of good and bad video game protagonists. When I think of a great protagonist, a few come to mind immediately, such as: Master Chief, Marcus Fenix, Max Payne, Kratos, and Solid Snake. What is it that makes these characters appealing to gamers? Well, I believe there are five attributes all of these characters share that make them so enjoyable to play with.

A memorable and meaningful protagonist must have a solid back-story. If you take a look at the above mentioned characters, you sill see that each has a very deep and profound past. When looked in to, their pasts are full of trials that create the finished products which gives players the ability to not only control their movements, but also join in their personal vendettas.

This brings us to the second point. Each of these characters fights for a cause of some sort. Max Payne fights for the revenge of his family, where Master Chief has the mission of saving the human race. While these are totally different motivations, they share the solid foundation of a proper character back-story. It would seem that points one and two are very inter-connected and rely on each other in providing an intriguing protagonist.

Another attribute of a great character is that he or she remains static throughout the game. This does not mean that protagonists don't get upgrades or things of that nature, but that they stay on track with what they mean to do. There is nothing more annoying than playing as a wavering character. The player wants a feeling of accomplishment when he or she puts time into a game, and the only way this is achieved is if the protagonist stays on track with his or her goal.

While the above traits are certainly important, let us not forget a basic rule of human relationships. While building a friendship with someone, one looks for qualities in that person that he or she can connect with. The same rule applies with video-game protagonists. If the player cannot connect with or understand the character they are playing, the overall experience of the game becomes lessened.

The last, but certainly not least, important attribute in a protagonist is the existence of courage in him or her. A character who is weak or cowardly is no character worth investing your time into. Any quality protagonist will have the ability to do what he or she has planned for him or herself. If it were any other way, the protagonist would diminish the plot instead of enhancing it.

All of these qualities are necessary for creating a solid and playable protagonist for a video game, but there are certainly more. What are your thoughts and opinions on the matter?