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Game Character Profile Template

Use this template
Game Character Profile Template, within the Milanote app

Bring your video game's characters to life

Creating a character profile is a great way to map out a video game character's background. It's where you define your character's backstory, appearance, abilities, goals and flaws—everything you'll need to successfully place them in your game.

Round-out your characters by giving them a personality that stretches beyond the story itself. Some aspects of their personality won't make it into the game, but will help to inform the decisions that they make.

This template is part of our guide on How to create a modern game design document.

  • Explore ideas
  • Organize visually
  • Share with your team
  • Gather feedback
  • Export to PDF

How to use this template

Whether you’re a game designer, artist, or programmer, follow this step-by-step guide to learn the modern process of creating a game character profile in Milanote, a free tool used by top creatives.

1. Start with an empty template

The Game Character Profile template contains empty notes for your ideas and descriptions plus placeholders for reference images, video and links.

Game design character template step01
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Create a new board for your character.

    Create a new board

    Drag a board out from the toolbar. Give it a name, then double click to open it.

  2. Choose the Character Profile template.

    Choose a template 

    Each new board gives you the options to start with a beautiful template.

2. Decide on a type of character

A character might start as a bundle of random ideas, traits and plot points from your game concept, so it’s important to bring everything together in one place. A character archetype can help narrow your focus. There are twelve common archetypes or personas that we recognize across literature, mythology, and the human experience: The Innocent, Everyman, Hero, Outlaw, Explorer, Creator, Ruler, Magician, Lover, Caregiver, Jester, and Sage.

Video game character profile description
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Add a note to describe your character's basic details.

    Drag a note card onto your board

    Start typing then use the formatting tools in the left hand toolbar.

  2. Add an image to represent your character.

    Upload a file or document  

    Click the "Upload file" button or just drag a file onto your board. You can add images, logos, documents, videos, audio, and much more.

3. Build their backstory

Just like people, characters are made up of their past experiences, goals, and aspirations. As Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Dreams are the touchstones of our characters.” Some aspects of their backstory might not make it into the game but will they help your artists and animators make the character more believable.

How to write a backstory for a game character
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Add a note to describe their backstory.

    Drag a note card onto your board

    Start typing then use the formatting tools in the left-hand toolbar.

4. Brainstorm their attributes

How does their visual appearance match their backstory and your concept for the game? Consider details such as clothing, facial features, height, weaponry, or even their home environment.

How to define attributes for a game character
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Add a note to describe their attributes.

    Drag a note card onto your board

    Start typing then use the formatting tools in the left-hand toolbar.

5. Add visual references & examples

Next, start to visualize the look of your character with sketches and reference imagery. There are lots of fantastic sites where you can find great visual inspiration for free, like Dribbble, Pinterest, or Google Images. You can also create a character moodboard at this stage to help explore all aspects of their appearance. See the guide on creating moodboards to learn more.

Game character design template step05
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Use the built-in image library.

    Use the built-in image library

    Search over 3 million beautiful photos powered by Pexels then drag images straight onto your board.

  2. Drag files from your computer.

    Upload a file or document  

    Click the "Upload file" button or just drag a file onto your board. You can add images, logos, documents, videos, audio and much more.

6. Define their gameplay

Now it's time to think about how they move, attack enemies and defend themselves. Consider their weight, speed, and style. Are they heavy or agile, how does their movement match their physical appearance? Do they have a super-power or can they acquire special powerups that transform their abilities?

Game character design template step06
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Add a note to describe the gameplay.

    Drag a note card onto your board

    Start typing then use the formatting tools in the left hand toolbar.

7. Add 3D models and motion

Bring your gameplay ideas to life by collecting references of how animation and movement could work. This is the fastest (and cheapest) way to help your team visualize the animation style you have in your head.

Grab some animated GIFs from Giphy, video from YouTube, or even audio from Soundcloud to add motion and depth to the look and feel of your character.

Game character design template step07
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Embed Youtube videos or audio in a board.

    Embed Youtube videos or audio tracks in a board

    Copy the share link from Youtube, Vimeo, Soundcloud or many other services. Drag a link card onto your board, paste your link and press enter.

  2. Add video files to your board.

    Upload a file or document  

    Click the "Upload file" button or just drag a file onto your board. You can add images, logos, documents, videos, audio and much more.

8. Share with your team

After any final tweaks, it’s time to share the character profile with the rest of your team. Invite others to critique and build on top of your ideas. Make sure you stay open to suggestions and improvements and try not to take criticism personally.

Game character design template step08
How to do this in Milanote

  1. Invite a team member to edit your board.

    Invite editors to your board

    Open the "Editors" menu from the title bar of your board. Add email addresses of the people you'd like to collaborate with—they'll receive an invitation via email.

  2. Start a conversation about your character.

    Start a comment thread

    Drag out a comment from the toolbar on the left and place it on your board. Other editors can reply to your comment.

  3. Mention teammates to get their attention.

    Mention teammates to get their attention

    Type '@' in any text field to mention someone who has access to your board. They'll receive a notification and be able to respond to your comment.

You're done

Now that your game character profile is complete, you (and your team) have a clear vision for how your character will look, behave and interact with others.

Start your Character Profile

Bring your video game's characters to life.

Start your Character Profile

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