Character/Creature analysis - Trico

I recently finished playing “The Last Guardian” for PS4 and wanted to do a blog post relating to the game.

 

This is because I feel like Trico is a perfect example of how to design a good creature/character. The developers went to great lengths to make Trico feel believable and organic in his design, behaviour and movements, blending elements from many different creatures to create a chimera of sorts that fits together seamlessly. Trico is memorable because of how he is able to connect with the player despite not being anthropomorphic in any way. His characteristics are very similar to that of a dog or cat and his mood is conveyed entirely through body language and the noises he makes. The game has been designed in a way that makes the player and Trico depend on each other from the very start. Consequently, there is more of a need to protect and help Trico since you need him and he needs you. 

 

Above all, there is a Falkor-like charm to his design, though he can also be frightening when aggressive. The game’s director, Fumito Ueda, explained that the game is targeted towards people who have pets as they will be able to connect with Trico. Gamers such as Pewdiepie have indeed made comparisons between Trico and his own pet dog.

Something that this game highlights is an important aspect of character and creature design that absolutely cannot be overlooked, and that is experience with creatures from the real world. One reason as to why creature design comes so naturally to me is due to how many animals I have looked after over the years. This experience helps add little nuances that add up to a bigger picture. It is simply impossible to pull off a convincing creature design, even if you have a vast knowledge of all the character design principles and techniques, if you do not have that real-world contact. Here is a quote from the game's Wikipedia page.

"Much of the creature's behaviour was based on Ueda's own childhood experiences growing up in a home full of animals"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Guardian

And as someone who owns greyhounds, they have in fact expanded my knowledge of how to structure an animal. Perhaps if I have time, I may do some life studies of my dogs.