Player character
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A player character or playable character (PC) is a fictional character in a game who is controlled or controllable by the player. A player character is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game.
[edit] Role-playing games
In a role-playing game (RPG) a PC is an individual within the game's setting. The character's thoughts and feelings are decided by the player based on the background provided by themselves and by the setting. In contrast, the character's physical presence within the world is usually represented by a collection of statistics, numbers stating the degree of certain characteristics of the character, such as strength or intelligence.
When creating a character, a player either imagines a character and then selects these characteristics deliberately, or generates the characteristics randomly and then describes a corresponding character. Most role-playing games have a system for the selection of the statistics with intricate rules and many choices. Characteristics represented can range from fundamental (endurance, social skill) to the trivial (favorite color, height) depending on the nature of the game and the degree of detail the players want to go into. These attributes describe the way in which the character will typically act and what the character is capable of doing.
A player character provides the player a chance to do things that, in real life, could not be done or would have unwanted consequences. That is one of the attractions of role-playing. However, excessive actions by characters attempted by some players can spoil a game for the other players. The expectations of the other players need to be respected or the social cohesion of the playing group can break down.
[edit] Computer and video games
In a computer or video game a PC is one that can be used as the player's avatar within the game world. Some games only have one such character available by default (for example, Samus Aran in Metroid). However, many other games have multiple characters available for play. Some characters, called secret characters, cannot be played without finishing some specific, often arcane labor in the game (The Super Smash Bros. series is famous for having a large amount of secret characters). Some games automatically change the playable character during the course of the game. Other games give the character control over more than one character at the same time, or allow one character to directly or indirectly control one or more other characters.
In some computer role-playing games, as in traditional RPGs, players may construct playable characters from a range of aspects, such as race and class. Playable characters can also refer to the multiple characters the player can control (such as the members of their party), especially in single player computer RPGs that allow the player to control more than one character. On a similar note, some games have the player controlling another party member's avatar (usually that of the second-in-command) on the field in certain situations (if it is plot-wise, it is usually because the usual main character is unavailable and/or away from the main party for some reason).
Some times, usually in first-person puzzle games, the Player Character is a simple blank, never seen or heard, since the player sees through his eyes and the other characters interacting with him, talk like not expecting any response from him. This blank helps the player play his role without having to think about any name, backstory or personality traits. Examples include the Stranger (Myst) and Gordon Freeman.
In contrast, a non-playable character, often called a NPC, is one that cannot be used by the player. Most non-playable characters are designed as AI opponents, bosses, or non-player characters that might not be properly balanced for a player. In some games, usually of the fighting genre, secret characters can be played when the game is hacked into.
