3/4 Or Front View?

[Tyra Wadman]

 Do you prefer to see the Character's Mugshot facing you or a little off to the side? Why?

 I personally like it when they're facing 'me'. Makes me feel a little more involved, and it doesn't 'hide' the other half of the characters emotions- not that it's a bad thing if the character turns their head... But yea. XD 

 I find 3/4 is a little less involved, standard and oversimplified. Fire Emblem was fun to play but their limited expressions and stiff poses weren't engaging at all. I know there are reasons why (there are a lot of characters!!!) but that's just an example. 

I'm also asking this question because I may or may not use this data to reflect on my art thread when/if I should ever open one. 

 

[Dalph]

It's probably just me but I think that when a character faces you, he\she breaks the 4th wall all the time (even when this isn't intention of the developer). So my preference goes more towards 3\4:
 

Spoiler

You're so sexy today.

Who are you looking at? I'm here.
This is just for fun, tbh I'm actually fine with both. CONSISTENCY is what really matters at the end. ;D

 

[Bukarett]

I think both can work fantastically if used correctly, or at least what I think it's the right way to use them. I don't think one is less engaging than the other, its more about the movement of the graphics, expressions and change of poses through the conversation rather than their placement. 

• 3/4 always look as if they are talking to the character on the other side of the screen, therefore I would suggest to keep it that way. Have character talk with each other on both sides. I believe it creates an illusion of them staring next to each other and adding to the conversation. 

Good example Professor Layton:

Spoiler

• Frontal view should be placed in the center, and thus portraying as if the characters are talking to a person in front of them. I particularly dislike when someone places frontal on the side, it makes me want to yell at the character to move to front center away.

Perfect example, Ace Attorney:

Spoiler

 

[Ms Littlefish]

No huge preference, but I've always sort of liked 3/4th view because the character isn't really talking to me, they're probably facing someone else. Yeah? 

Also, I get to see more of their features in 3/4th view. I have an obsession with face shapes. Them jaw bones.

It would mean extra work, but ideally, busts would probably turn in a number of directions. 

 

[Omnimental]

Depends on the type of game.  For games where the characters are frequently interacting with each other, I prefer 3/4s view.  Either way, you need multiple sprites to show me emotions.  Nothing is more off-putting then reading emotional dialog right next to a completely blank face.  Or worse, a face displaying a completely inappropriate emotion.

 

[Tyra Wadman]

No huge preference, but I've always sort of liked 3/4th view because the character isn't really talking to me, they're probably facing someone else. Yeah? 

Also, I get to see more of their features in 3/4th view. I have an obsession with face shapes. Them jaw bones.

It would mean extra work, but ideally, busts would probably turn in a number of directions. 

Them jaw bones... You're right... <3 Mmmm... 

Ahem. 

 

[Tyra Wadman]

I think both can work fantastically if used correctly, or at least what I think it's the right way to use them. I don't think one is less engaging than the other, its more about the movement of the graphics, expressions and change of poses through the conversation rather than their placement. 

• 3/4 always look as if they are talking to the character on the other side of the screen, therefore I would suggest to keep it that way. Have character talk with each other on both sides. I believe it creates an illusion of them staring next to each other and adding to the conversation. 

Good example Professor Layton:

Spoiler

Spoiler

• Frontal view should be placed in the center, and thus portraying as if the characters are talking to a person in front of them. I particularly dislike when someone places frontal on the side, it makes me want to yell at the character to move to front center away.

Perfect example, Ace Attorney:

I agree whole heartedly- but I was mostly referring to mugshots (the default square you get in the text box). Not that it makes your post null and void- I just don't know how to tinker with the software to make it look like that. >n> So I thought I'd ask based on the default. 

 

[Celianna]

Tyra Wadman, please avoid double posting, as it is against the forum rules. You can review our forum rules here. Thank you.


Honestly 3/4 should be the default, and only use front view when it's really needed. The 3/4 view gives the character more depth (front view looks flat) and, when faced with two portraits, it looks like they're talking to each other.

 

[Sharm]

I agree with Bukarett's post 100% (love the examples used too)! Usually in RPG's you're playing as someone specific, not as yourself, so in most cases 3/4ths is better. If you're supposed to be watching a view screen or something similar, I think front view is better. Ms Littlefish is right too, 3/4ths gives more information but can take more effort. I personally find 3/4ths faces easier to draw, but when making generator stuff front view is much faster. After all you only have to do half the work!

 

[100LittleDreams]

I usually play games with both front view and 3/4 so I think they both work well.

Like 3/4 for when the two characters are interacting with each other and when they say something directly to you/your character, its front viewed.

 

[cabfe]

I think both can work fantastically if used correctly, or at least what I think it's the right way to use them. I don't think one is less engaging than the other, its more about the movement of the graphics, expressions and change of poses through the conversation rather than their placement.

• 3/4 always look as if they are talking to the character on the other side of the screen, therefore I would suggest to keep it that way. Have character talk with each other on both sides. I believe it creates an illusion of them staring next to each other and adding to the conversation. 

Good example Professor Layton:

Spoiler

• Frontal view should be placed in the center, and thus portraying as if the characters are talking to a person in front of them. I particularly dislike when someone places frontal on the side, it makes me want to yell at the character to move to front center away.

Perfect example, Ace Attorney:

Spoiler

Yes, but not always.

That really depends on the genre too.

My busts are frontal view AND on the side because, if I placed them like in your screenshot, they would hide the action of the sprites underneath.

Spoiler

It does work for a visual novel since there's nothing else to look at, but it cannot be generalized.

A RM game has sprites that the player controls or at least see them move. They must be seen, even during dialogues.

 

[Kes]

I agree with 3/4 views as being much more interesting.  It is also the case that - unless something strange is going on - the characters are not talking to me the player, they are talking to each other or to themselves (thoughts).  Having them face out is, imo, quite immersion breaking.

I thoroughly dislike busts in the centre, as it means that I can't see what is supposed to be happening.  Even some busts at the side are so large that they obscure significant parts of the map.  

 

[Square_art]

I like both 3/4 and front view, but as well as others, I like 3/4 more. I think you can use both of them, for example, 3/4 for most of characters and front view for some of them in order to add some diversity. One character, for example the main one, can have several views 2/3, 3/4, front view, so player will be able to see him (her) from different angles, but it's not easy to draw, obviously it requires more time than 1 view-use. Good luck

 

[Emberstorm]

I think it depends on the game. If the player controls only one character, and has full choice in dialogue, then NPCs would be effective looking forward. Otherwise, I'd say 3/4

 

[AvarinaSkye]

It's hard to say. I'm looking at some of my game screenshots, because I'm a derp like that, and Akihiko in Persona 3 Portable looks like 3/4... I think.

http://www.zerochan.net/327184#full

Edit: anyways, haha, the reason why I brought this up is because he talks to you, but it's not front-facing. It still looks nice, in my opinion anyways.

 

[Milennin]

I like front view if dialogue is mostly focused towards the player, especially in an RPG that lets me be the main character instead of playing a defined personality, makes it feel as if the NPCs are talking to me. But if your game consists of dialogue between NPCs, then 3/4 view is better in my opinion.


One more thing: I hate the front view face sets from the RPG Maker character creator. Those faces are creepy, evil and steal people's souls.