Virtual Character Design- Robin Sloan

"Appearance can be influenced by game genre, target audience preferences, cultural differences, the brand of the development studio, or even the gaming platform. In any analysis of a character's appearance, the visual style is typically the most obvious element to consider first. For instance, the photorealism of a character is frequently highlighted in criticism of video game graphics, and for many game developers photorealism is a stylistic ideal. When working with more distinctive styles, the aesthetic choices of a developer might have an even greater impact on the presentation of a character... The application of style can have a dramatic effect on character appearance and, subsequently, on player perception and interpretation."