Character design is an essential part of visual media. If lacking, characters can be bland and forgettable. Even just an iconic design can pique audience attention due to recognizability.
Overwatch 2, a team-based FPS game by Blizzard Entertainment, has nailed this.
This game features an assortment of characters from different backgrounds, which has inspired a lot of my designs. The use of armor and battle attire that is sleek and eye-catching is wonderful to look at.
One important aspect of character design is silhouettes. By looking at Overwatch’s cast, they are not only distinct from one another, but also from characters in outside media.
Overwatch 2 further builds on their character design with the introduction of mythic skins, which are higher-price customizable skins (alternative designs for characters). One of these is released every season for a specific character. This season brings Reinhardt’s skin, “Thor.” At different stages of the skin, different customizable options are provided for players to mash together.
This is super cool because you can actually interact with the character’s model in a way most games like this don’t allow. It makes the skin somewhat worth it’s price point.
Another thing about mythic skins is how each character is still recognizable as themselves despite how different they are.
This is done by keeping key features or colors of the character in-tact despite major design changes. Such as Mercy’s wings or Juno’s head-dome.
Besides Reinhardt’s new skin, there was also the release of a new character. Hazard has lovely color-balancing that helps distinguish different parts of his outfit.
Hazard’s outfit is primarily black. However, his gold, grey, and blue accents help separate the different parts from one another so he doesn’t look flat. Because his weapon is blue, it doesn’t blend with his outfit. His color palette is decently limited similar to other Overwatch characters which makes him simple to draw, and easily recognizable. His silhouette mostly stands out due to his spikes, gun, and body proportions. As an offensive tank character, his most important feature is his weapons. It really helps this character stand out.
Besides that there’s also his exaggerated proportions. Even if a character is realistic, human bodies can be extremely diverse. I recommend any artist play with proportions. Although there is the standard depiction of the human body, certain characteristics being exaggerated can add a touch of flare to every cast.
If you’re ever designing a character, try going outside the box and experimenting with silhouette and color schemes to find something that stands out amongst a crowd of characters. Take a look at Overwatch’s character designs and find something that really inspires you!
Featured Image: https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/
Character Lineup (4): https://www.polygon.com/2021/2/19/22291871/overwatch-2-hero-designs-widowmaker-mccree-pharah-reaper
Silhouettes: https://www.sporcle.com/games/Moai/overwatch-silhouette
Thor Reinhardt: https://www.threads.net/@owcavalry_
All Mythic Skins: https://twitter.com/OverwatchNaeri/status/1770134406575059437/photo/1
Upcoming Shop Skins: https://www.threads.net/@owcavalry_
Hazard Abilities: https://www.polygon.com/overwatch/483154/overwatch-2-hazard-kit-abilities-season-14-start-date
Hazard Design: https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24160103/icymi-exploring-hazard-s-art-backstory-and-gameplay/