Gordon Freeman voted best video game character by Empire Magazine

If Gordon Freeman is the Best Video Game character then so is that girl test subject in Portal since she does the same thing that Freeman does.

The list is lousy. Freeman, Link, Lemmings, and Mario.. they dont even have a character.

Zerocrossings

[QUOTE="Zerocrossings"]

The list is lousy. Freeman, Link, Lemmings, and Mario.. they dont even have a character.

Nintendo_Ownes7

Crono should have been Number one. After all he was Silent too.

[QUOTE="Zerocrossings"]

The list is lousy. Freeman, Link, Lemmings, and Mario.. they dont even have a character.

Nintendo_Ownes7

Even so, he should be no where near the top ten. :lol:

even better! The Rookie from Halo 3 ODST should also be on top because he doesn't talk!

I didn't agree with him being the best when they did it here last year so why would I agree now?

Anyway I am surprised they put master chief so high.

The character's in Half-Life specifically refer to you as Gordon, Freeman, Dr. Freeman whatever, so no, he's very present in the game. Master Chief is not as transparent as Gordon Freeman, that I will agree with you. Bungie however, have taken exact methods in keeping the Chief as transparent as possible despite the use of cutscenes, and they are gunning for the very same idea Valve had with Gordon. He doesn't "talk" to characters, semantically speaking, he "responds" to them. There is no backstory you have to trudge through, no ulterior motives you have to investigate into his character (in fact, Gordon's backstory is elaborated in the games more so than the Chief in Halo), it's as simple as him and a gun, and you're shooting things with it. I've provided you specific examples in the lines the Chief has, only there to essentially speak on your behalf when there is a cutscene. He never goes out of the way to characterize himself in the way you cannot characterize while you play him, save those couple of examples I've given you. This is the exact reason the novels are jarring (and utterly ridiculous) because the Chief actually has a personality that's self-serving in the novels.

If you can cite significant examples in which the Chief has a self-serving bias, I will have to concede my argument. Saying the game has cutscenes and therefore the Chief is not transparent is about as relevant as saying Gordon Freeman is a white caucasian on the box and therefore is not a true vessel.

As it stands, the Chief does the exact same things that Freeman and Link do. It's what the security officer from Marathon did, it's what the Rookie in Halo: ODST does and it's what Noble 6 in Halo: Reach is already doing given the footage we have. They're all characters in context for the player to control without any overbearing personality. Unfortunately, I'm not politically correct, I do believe in one objective truth, so there's no room to 'agree to disagree' here :P.

Despite the prejudice, I think it's actually worth noting what Bungie did here. They had to be very careful of what they allowed the Chief to do outside of gameplay because one wrong move and it could alienate players. Go on YouTube and watch several minutes of Halo cutscenes. Then watch several minutes of Crysis Warhead cutscenes. You will see a massive difference in how the protagonists are approached during non-gameplay moments. It's why I'm saying it's not as easy as stating "The Chief appears outside of gameplay. Therefore, he's his own character."

Now if you're debating with me to say that Freeman deserves a nod, whereas the Chief deserves a kick in the backside, then you shouldn't be riled up at all. Master Chief as a video game character doesn't even rate for me. Unlike you and several other guys, I'm pretty damn proud to say that Gordon Freeman would be in my top five video game characters ever, and I'll gladly defend his honour. I have no shame in defending Gordon Freeman at all. It irks me when people try to defend him from the pretentious snobs when they say "well, he's just a vessel, so he's different". Don't treat him like a retard He's a very effective video game character, period.

FrozenLiquid

Not exactly. Freeman is a title, that's about it as far as his 'character' goes. From where you the player appeared on that tram, is where Freeman's story begins; and it only ever progresses when you are there in control. In that regard everything the player experiences in 'Freeman's shoes' in the game, is where any 'character development' could have possibly taken place during the course of the game. Difference is we never know what Freeman is thinking on a personal level, there is nothing there. It's just the player in a husk who is has an identifiable title - you're Freeman, what is there of him as an independent being is totally non-existent.

Funnily enough the Vortigaunts enjoy breaking the 4th wall in this regard saying "far distant eyes look out through yours".

While I can't quote either game to a tea, and quite frankly cannot be bothered trawling for examples of either, as I said before:

Master Chief's character in Halo is not transparent. He does things outside of gameplay - be it action or not, he talks to characters; his presence as someone independant, from the players control is there and active in the gameworld.

Doesn't matter if Chief doesn't speak during gameplay, there is a break in player agency there; a massive difference to Valve's method

skrat_01

It doesn't matter if Chief is Silent and unmoving, or masked, he exists when I don't, he is ever present in the gameworld as I observe. I wish I was the one kicking that nuke into the Covenant ship in Halo 2 but I didn't, that was Master Chief a godamn awesome badass super soldier; not me the player who is behind that helmet during gameplay.

Here is a good Gamasutra article on player agency I read a long long while back which brushes upon this.

While I certainly see you have a point, especially in comparison to Warhead (Psycho is very much his own defined character much more than MC, even when you're in control) I can safely say the difference between HL and Halo are quite defined.

Otherwise as a designer that is what see him as, a very effective piece of narrative design. To be frank the Half Life 2 saga is as much of Alyx's story, she is a central protagonist, she is the real 'character' (personality) of the game. Is Gordon effective? Very. Memorable character in a certain sense? Not exactly.

Anyway, I do think games like Bioshock did a marvelous job, even outdoing Half Life in some areas, I also think The Void really pushes boundaries well beyond either game too in similar respects. Problem is these aren't exactly characters I can empathise with aside from admiring them on a level of design.

That's what I'm trying to get away from :P. People here seem to think that because NPCs are free from direct player intervention, they have better room to grow, and therefore are better characters. Not necessarily the case. Why is Shodan an awesome character? Or Glados? Kefka and Malak? They're all awesome because both player and NPC are directly communicating with each other that can only be achieved when the player is playing the game. It may sound weird, but switch the game off, and those NPCs turn off too. Those NPCs need you to interact with the world for them to function effectively.

It all begins with the player/protagonist. This is why I keep saying games should not be like film or literature, because they are seriously their own thing.

-

EDIT: Now stop arguing with me and check your inbox. I sent you a PM ages ago. Why? I think we can do one better than just constantly moaning about how crap games are on forums.

FrozenLiquid

Couldn't agree more, games should be their own thing, but even in a traditional (or non traditional) sense I don't think we should ignore games that don't play by only game relative conventions.

Even if Trip and Grace would beg to differ.

Seeing Mario as number 2, sonic and kratos in there before snake, niko and anyone from mass effect just makes me completely disregard that list.

Freeman isn't a character so much as a narrative device. He has no personality of his own. You project yourself on to him, and your desires become his. It was brilliant the way Valve did that, but Freeman is NOT a character in his own right, anymore than the DOOM marine is.

I cant see why people are railing on Gordon Freeman when link fits many of the same criticism.

[QUOTE="toast_burner"]

Saying Freeman is the best character ever is like saying a blank piece of paper is the best book ever

positivebalance

I agree with both of these posts.

Awesome sig too btw.

Terrible choice and pretty much shows they no nothing about gaming. Gordan Freeman.... Give me a break he's a damn MUTE its the characters he interacts with who should be nominated. Mario 2nd as well.............. that really says it all to be honest. Then again what do they mean by character? Sales wise and popularity Mario should be number 1 or are they referring to actually liking the character and its personality etc.

You know what? This guy:

is the best video game character, ever.

Why you might ask, well he is clearly the embodiment of the average working man, pitted against the odds and over coming challenges. He might have no dialog or personality but I see MYSELF AS the character, I'm the person facing the challenges instead of him. While, I can clearly see this man does not look like me, I CAN control him and choose how he jumps and how he gets past situations.

This guy is the best video game character ever.

Yangire

LMAO, good one. If Gordon Freeman can be best chararacter, I see no reason why this guy can't be.

As far as character goes, Freeman is more or less on level with DOOM guy.

That's because YOU are Doom guy. It's YOU who traverse Mars (later hell).

Seriously, Freeman does'nt have much but a name to his character.

Filthybastrd

Doom guy is actually more relatable, because he's just an average joe grunt, not some top of his field physicist. Doom guy should have won.

Well at least it seems this list includes great characters from niche games that are mostly put aside in other lists. That is enough for me, the order is irrelevant after that since it's completely subjective.

Meh I like Freeman, but for a character from a HL series I would have pick either Alex or G-Man instead. As for best video game character, not sure who I would choose.

Saying Freeman is the best character ever is like saying a blank piece of paper is the best book ever

toast_burner

Mario is the most recognisable videogame character in my opinion.

It's great they've got the Nameless One in the list. Probably one of the deepest and most interesting characters that's ever existed in a game.

That list is abysmal

this is a sad day in gaming indeed. Just when i thought my feelings for gamers have hit rock bottom , some one gave me a shovel .

I look at Freeman and I do see a character, a character with no dialog whatsoever but a character whose actions speak louder than words, he may not speak but he does, and what he does represents him as a character, his actions replace dialog. Gordon's character development goes very well with the whole procedural storytelling of the Half Life series, events occur or unfold in front and around you that develop the story, nothing is very obvious and it's left to the player to piece together all the information surrounding you to create a story and a universe, much the same as you would piece together Grodon Freeman through his actions.

You're not just told about Gordon Freeman, you're not told what to expect from this character, you're not told about his actions, you're experiencing Gordon Freeman first hand and it's left to the player to piece together who he is and what he stands for, not like a blank slate mind you, but a painting you have been given instructions to paint; the whole outline of the painting is there and you follow every step to a tee like a master painter to paint an image that you have created from somebody else's ideas. Everything occurs as is supposed to according to Valve, Gordon becomes what Valve wants him to be but they make it so you find out who he is first hand through his actions, which you are in control of.

This all is lost amongst gamers apparantly.

I look at Freeman and I do see a character, a character with no dialog whatsoever but a character whose actions speak louder than words, he may not speak but he does, and what he does represents him as a character, his actions replace dialog. Gordon's character development goes very well with the whole procedural storytelling of the Half Life series, events occur or unfold in front and around you that develop the story, nothing is very obvious and it's left to the player to piece together all the information surrounding you to create a story and a universe, much the same as you would piece together Grodon Freeman through his actions.

You're not just told about Gordon Freeman, you're not told what to expect from this character, you're not told about his actions, you're experiencing Gordon Freeman first hand and it's left to the player to piece together who he is and what he stands for, not like a blank slate mind you, but a painting you have been given instructions to paint; the whole outline of the painting is there and you follow every step to a tee like a master painter to paint an image that you have created from somebody else's ideas. Everything occurs as is supposed to according to Valve, Gordon becomes what Valve wants him to be but they make it so you find out who he is first hand through his actions, which you are in control of.

This all is lost amongst gamers apparantly.

Im_single

you got to be kidding me

[QUOTE="Im_single"]

I look at Freeman and I do see a character, a character with no dialog whatsoever but a character whose actions speak louder than words, he may not speak but he does, and what he does represents him as a character, his actions replace dialog. Gordon's character development goes very well with the whole procedural storytelling of the Half Life series, events occur or unfold in front and around you that develop the story, nothing is very obvious and it's left to the player to piece together all the information surrounding you to create a story and a universe, much the same as you would piece together Grodon Freeman through his actions.

You're not just told about Gordon Freeman, you're not told what to expect from this character, you're not told about his actions, you're experiencing Gordon Freeman first hand and it's left to the player to piece together who he is and what he stands for, not like a blank slate mind you, but a painting you have been given instructions to paint; the whole outline of the painting is there and you follow every step to a tee like a master painter to paint an image that you have created from somebody else's ideas. Everything occurs as is supposed to according to Valve, Gordon becomes what Valve wants him to be but they make it so you find out who he is first hand through his actions, which you are in control of.

This all is lost amongst gamers apparantly.

dontshackzmii

you got to be kidding me

[QUOTE="dontshackzmii"]

[QUOTE="Im_single"]

I look at Freeman and I do see a character, a character with no dialog whatsoever but a character whose actions speak louder than words, he may not speak but he does, and what he does represents him as a character, his actions replace dialog. Gordon's character development goes very well with the whole procedural storytelling of the Half Life series, events occur or unfold in front and around you that develop the story, nothing is very obvious and it's left to the player to piece together all the information surrounding you to create a story and a universe, much the same as you would piece together Grodon Freeman through his actions.

You're not just told about Gordon Freeman, you're not told what to expect from this character, you're not told about his actions, you're experiencing Gordon Freeman first hand and it's left to the player to piece together who he is and what he stands for, not like a blank slate mind you, but a painting you have been given instructions to paint; the whole outline of the painting is there and you follow every step to a tee like a master painter to paint an image that you have created from somebody else's ideas. Everything occurs as is supposed to according to Valve, Gordon becomes what Valve wants him to be but they make it so you find out who he is first hand through his actions, which you are in control of.

This all is lost amongst gamers apparantly.

Im_single

you got to be kidding me

Mario has done far more then gordom has. mario saved the freaking galaxy not only is he an MD but he is a plumer as well he even saved the princess like 200 times lol .

[QUOTE="Im_single"][QUOTE="dontshackzmii"]

you got to be kidding me

dontshackzmii

Mario has done far more then gordom has. mario saved the freaking galaxy not only is he an MD but he is a plumer as well he even saved the princess like 200 times lol .

i dont agree, even if i understand why they picked him,

they could aswell picked Link, becouse they are basicly the same

while i would agree with they picked Samus

Go Gordon! n1!

I look at Freeman and I do see a character, a character with no dialog whatsoever but a character whose actions speak louder than words, he may not speak but he does, and what he does represents him as a character, his actions replace dialog. Gordon's character development goes very well with the whole procedural storytelling of the Half Life series, events occur or unfold in front and around you that develop the story, nothing is very obvious and it's left to the player to piece together all the information surrounding you to create a story and a universe, much the same as you would piece together Grodon Freeman through his actions.

You're not just told about Gordon Freeman, you're not told what to expect from this character, you're not told about his actions, you're experiencing Gordon Freeman first hand and it's left to the player to piece together who he is and what he stands for, not like a blank slate mind you, but a painting you have been given instructions to paint; the whole outline of the painting is there and you follow every step to a tee like a master painter to paint an image that you have created from somebody else's ideas. Everything occurs as is supposed to according to Valve, Gordon becomes what Valve wants him to be but they make it so you find out who he is first hand through his actions, which you are in control of.

This all is lost amongst gamers apparantly.

Im_single

Except its not even his actions, it's YOUR actions. Gordon is merely the conduit for you to perform your actions in the game world, and which the other characters respond to. For someone to be an actual character, they must possess their own ambitions, motives, personality, and attitude, which drives not just their actions, but their interactions and behaviours with the world around them.

Ew why is Sephiroth so high? :P

Well I do love me some Freeman.

Freeman deserves to be number 1. Its very clever how they portray you as him.
Link and Mario always win in character polls due to popularity but the best doesnt need to be just popular, its what your happy with.
Theres nothing to hate about Freeman except he dont speak lol.

But there are worthy characters not on the list.

Solid Snake (mgs series)
Ryu Haybusa (ninja gaiden)
Dante (devil may cry series)
Sackboy (little big planet)
Ryu (street fighter games)
Crash Bandicot (crash games)
Nathan Drake (uncharted 2)
Jin Kazama (tekken)
Captain Price (modern wafare)
Ryo Hazuki (shenmue)

and how the hell can they forget this guy..
Duke Nukem

Saying Freeman is the best character ever is like saying a blank piece of paper is the best book ever

toast_burner