Downloadable gaming avatars: photo or 'painting'? Real or imagined?

[dragon wench]

A PM I recently received about my GB avatar made me think about this question.

When I download player-created avatars for games like Morrowind, IWD or BG2, I prefer 'painted' images over photos. I especially tend to dislike photos (or paintings) that are of actual people, such as celebrities.

Now, I started considering this, because on the surface, it doesn't seem to make much sense. After all, if a character I create is well personified by Angelina Jolie (God help me ), why wouldn't it feel right to use her face?

But, I think it is because using a real world image, concept or personality in a game tends to impinge on the immersion process for me. It would be sort of like encountering an in-game NPC named Bill Gates who was the founder of a major software company
Okay.. a drastic analogy, and that might actually be funny, but it would definitely snap me back into the 'real world'

Preferences? Thoughts?

[Sytze]

Not much, other than that I agree. For me, a game is a game and therefore something completely different than reality. It spoils the fantasy aspect if I add a real photograph to a non-real environment.

That said, I also think it largely depends on the game itself. For example, adding a real photograph to Baldurs Gate or Warcraft is, in those cases, surreal (apologize if this might sound contradictory). However, in case of Red Alert (yes, I happen to like that series), I think it was incorporated rather well. Adding cartooneske pictures/movies to that game would actually remove a bit of the game feel.

I realise this is all rather subjective, but overall I tend to say that adding actual people such as celebrities to my games removes a lot, if not all of the 'other world' feel. Considering my game shelf consist largely of Baldurs Gate games, Prince of Persia, Age of Empires, and Heroes of Might and Magic, I don't think my opinion can be regarded as much of a surprise.

My two cents.

Oh, and how've you been, DW?

[Luis Antonio]

Hello Sytz. Hello DW. I prefer the painted ones, but I used to like the Sean Connery one that someone did to BG.

[Galuf the Dwarf]

Sytze! Long time no see, man!

Well, what can I say? I'm rather like a dwarf in many ways, and not just in my name, so why not have an avatar that at least somewhat looks like a dwarf?

I always stuck to DCI avatars of Durnkrag (as my first ever avatar). For a while, I was going with pictures of Transformers characters who looked rather dwarf-like (in that case, I used images of Brawn & Scourge). Then came along my DCI cameo, and here's my current avatar.

So yeah, I'd say I prefer "painting" avatars.

[Sytze]

Haven't changed this drawn avatar since I joined Banshee, although the temptation was often quite large. Looking at the avatars here at SYM, I think most prefer drawn ones above real photographs.

It's good to see the both of you as well, Luis and Galuf. I've been away due to... a lot of different things with which I won't bore you all.

[dragon wench]

Hi there Sytze, Luis and Galuf

@Sytze,
I'm not too bad all things considered...
Sounds like things your way have been a bit chaotic, I hope you are in a more calm space now.

My sense too is that most people here seem to prefer the painted/drawn style of avatar. I have had this one for years, and I would not dream of changing it. I often use it for my BG 2 games as well. I don't know why, but I think sometimes we just find an avatar that we grab onto for whatever reason.

[Therion]

Non-photographic/depicting known people. I think most people are like this because people want something that they can call theirs. Or at least is not someone else's. This can be seen in nicknames as well.

For example if I'd pick, say, the avatar of Edwin from Baldur's Gate 1 (love that one. So.. stereotypical magelike. I don't identify it with that character.) and I saw someone else using the same one I'd probably change my avatar.

[BlueSky]

Being a RPG player, I too prefer the drawn ones...have actually used the one that DW uses for a BGII adventure....
have lots for the BG series,actually too many, and am in the process of getting bodies and faces for Morrowind now that I finally bought the PC version. sorry Xbox, you're going to gather dust.:laugh:
As for the one I use for this forum, its one that a friend sent me in an old email, and its really not suited for a game avatar.

[Rob-hin]

Perhaps because a photo is an actual real person?
Naturally a picture can also be a real person but it's less appearant.

[Coot]

In any game I use the avatar I use here at GB, just to give the game a more realistic feeling, 'cause I think my avatar looks like someone you could meet down the street.
I made it myself. I'm quite proud of it.

[Rob-hin]

In any game I use the avatar I use here at GB, just to give the game a more realistic feeling, 'cause I think my avatar looks like someone you could meet down the street.
I made it myself. I'm quite proud of it.

Yes it's quite well drawn.
Did you go go artist school?

[Coot]

Yes it's quite well drawn.
Did you go go artist school?

Nope. I'm an autodidact. Don't misunderestimate my artistic talents.