I'm Glad You Are on My Side

Abstract

Digital games can offer rich social experiences and exciting narrations by the integration of interesting, believable companion characters. However, if companions fall short of the players' expectations, they may instead spoil the whole experience, especially if they continuously accompany the player during the game. In this paper, we analyze the design space of companion characters in games. We discuss the influence of companions on players' experiences and expectations. Furthermore, we present the results of an online survey (N = 237) to provide insights into players' opinions and perceptions regarding game companions. According to the survey results, players attach great importance to a companion's personality and its integration into the story of the game, and expect companion behavior to be context-sensitive, autonomous, and proactive. Altogether, our work aims at supporting the development of companions by highlighting the design decisions that have to be made and by suggesting ways to improve their believability.