Watching someone play a game you’ve worked on can be a rollercoaster. You might think, “Why won’t they use that weapon I designed?” or “Why aren’t they reading the story text?” Frustrations like these are common, but there’s a solution that could transform this experience from painful to productive: embracing personas.
Personas, a concept introduced by Alan Cooper in The Inmates Are Running the Asylum, can help us understand different types of players. Personas go beyond demographics like age or location; they bring specific player motivations, preferences, and playstyles into focus. Adopting personas allows game designers to anticipate different behaviors, align with player needs, and create better gameplay experiences.
The Power of Personas in Game Design
Using personas helps game designers visualize the different types of players they are creating for. This foresight is especially useful during the early stages of game design, preventing the need for extensive changes once the game reaches testing.
For example, consider a classic sniper level like “All Ghillied Up” in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. The designers created an immersive, slow-paced experience that required players to remain stealthy. If they’d had a persona like “Speedrun Sam” in mind, they could have anticipated the need for pacing adjustments to ensure Sam stays engaged. Similarly, a persona like “Shoot First Shawn” could have guided designers to keep enemies out of sight until the right moment, ensuring players don’t accidentally break the intended gameplay flow.
Creating Your Personas
Developing personas doesn’t have to be complex. Start by considering your players’ playstyles, motivations, and frustrations. Here’s a basic framework to build on:
- Name – Be descriptive and memorable. Names like “Speedrun Sam” or “Narrative Nancy” can bring personas to life.
- Age – Choose a representative age range or specific number that aligns with your target demographic.
- Photo – Find a stock image or illustration that visually represents the persona.
- Motivations – Describe how this persona plays, what interests them, and what they find frustrating in games.
Here are some sample personas:
- Speedrun Sam, 19
Sam’s goal is efficiency. He skips text, cuts corners, and speeds through every game as quickly as possible. If he encounters a mechanic that slows him down, he’s likely to get frustrated. - Narrative Nancy, 26
Nancy loves story-driven games and details. She reads every bit of lore, appreciates world-building, and prefers a slower pace to take in the experience. She’s not in it for trophies but to immerse herself in the game’s universe.
When you create personas specific to your game, get the entire team involved. Collective input fosters a shared understanding, ensuring these personas resonate throughout the development process.
Leveraging Personas in Development
Once you’ve established personas, make them a core part of your design discussions. Post them in visible areas or keep digital versions handy. Ask yourself, “What would Speedrun Sam do here?” or “Is Narrative Nancy going to enjoy this sequence?”
Remember, personas are a tool, not a constraint. Not every design element needs to cater to every persona, nor should you overburden the team by creating too many personas. Identify key personas that align with the primary experience you want to create.
Updating Your Personas
Personas should evolve with your game and audience. As new games release and genres expand, player expectations shift. Revisit your personas periodically, especially after playtesting. Adjust them based on new insights, put some in “cryo-sleep” if they’re not currently relevant, and tweak others to reflect emerging player behaviors.
By keeping personas fresh and relevant, you ensure that your design remains player-centered. The more you understand your audience, the better your chances of creating an experience that resonates with them.
In Conclusion
Personas bring player motivations and behaviors into clear focus, helping you design with specific players in mind. Whether you’re creating a high-tension stealth level or a story-driven quest, personas provide a compass to keep your design aligned with user expectations. Embrace this tool, and you’ll find your game feels more engaging and authentic to the players who experience it. When you care about your players’ needs, they’ll care about your game.