First game to introduce character customisation

[JJustice]

Hey guys,

just thought id try and pick your brains to see if anyone could suggest what might have been the first game to have character customisation. This something iv got to do for a research project which is why its a bit of a weird query. I must stress however that the character must be graphically represented (sprites or polygons) throughout the game, so no text based games if possible.

I look forwards to any suggestions.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Does the idea of selecting a picture of a character from x other pictures count?

[Pablo2008jedi]

What do you mean by "customisation"

Clothes? Face? Body? Traits? etc...? Need more clarification.

[Felix_]

Why on earth must it be limited to graphical representations?

Surely the graphical aspect of a character is superfluous when compared with actual character dynamics?

[JJustice]

Well i am having to write a lecture that makes comparison to the customisation found in UT3. The idea is that student will have to design and create a 3d modular character that they can put into the engine based upon the Unreal Biped. So when i say it has to be graphical (polygons etc), i want the students to be able to be able to take influence from previous character types and games.

The idea was to trying and find out an early attempt at character customisation so they can at least see how there has been some progression to due developments in technology.

Hope this helps.

[Shadrack]

There are probably earlier examples of this in old-school NES RPG type games (think Dragon Warrior 2 allowed some customization but maybe not to the detail you require).

But you saying "Polygons etc" made me think of the custom skins that people could create for QuakeWorld back in ~1996, 97.

People put their Quake Clan logos and stuff on their skin. QuakeWorld had a feature that would transfer these custom skins to any connecting client so they were displayed properly.

[LightIdea]

The first ever game that I can remember being able to create custom characters and change their appearance and what not was 4D Sports Boxing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4D_Sports_Boxing

[The Teej]

Oldest one I can think of would be Zelda 1 (1986), as you can change the colour of your tunic in that one through a power upgrade (among other things). There probably are older ones, though :p

[ylcard]

  On 17/02/2010 at 15:51, Felix_ said:

Why on earth must it be limited to graphical representations?

Surely the graphical aspect of a character is superfluous when compared with actual character dynamics?

Well one purpose of character customization is that you'll be able to distinguish one character from another. Although I doubt it's of any use in a total single-player game, as the player character is most likely already much different from other characters, that's if you can even see the character.