“Stop Making Characters So Extraordinary. Just Once, Let Me Be Average”

Games make you the all-conquering chosen one far too often. Dave Meikleham wants to give saving the world a rest to play a regular schmo

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Relatability is important. Whether you’re reading a 450-page novel, gorging yourself silly on TV blockbuster boxsets, or committing 100 hours of your life to a videogame, identifying with characters is vital for proper emotional investment. When I pick up a pad I want to empathise with the protagonist’s problems. I want to look at their issues and think: “Hey, there’s a situation I can really relate to.” News flash: videogames are bad at this.