Niko
Bellic is a very strong avatar in grand theft auto 4, as the
relationship that is developed with the player through progressing
the narrative proves extremely helpful in immersing the player into
the world of liberty city.
Niko, like the player, appears as if they are new to the city and don't quite belong in the world. This provides a connection between player and avatar straight away, and as the story develops and Niko completes missions [like collecting money for Vlad or taxi missions for his cousin Roman], he is rewarded with money and more luxurious living situations. The player then gets more attached to Niko as they journey the grind to the top together.
This relationship between player and avatar grows further as exposition is revealed to the player about the vague and mysterious avatar Niko as they progress the game accomplishing missions together. The revelations of which [like his hardships fighting in the war or mob bosses from his home country who are out to get him] make the player feel empathetic towards this character whom if his backstory was presented early in the narrative, before the attatchment/relationship to Niko was developed, would not have nearly as much significance to the player.
This strategy of developing a strong world for the player to believe in, then having this empty vessel for the player to progress the game and develop some form of an affinity to, then dropping this vessel's exposition into the equation is a very effective way to make the player feel immersed in a game and invest emotionally/mentally, achieving optimal enjoyment out of the narrative.
Niko, like the player, appears as if they are new to the city and don't quite belong in the world. This provides a connection between player and avatar straight away, and as the story develops and Niko completes missions [like collecting money for Vlad or taxi missions for his cousin Roman], he is rewarded with money and more luxurious living situations. The player then gets more attached to Niko as they journey the grind to the top together.
This relationship between player and avatar grows further as exposition is revealed to the player about the vague and mysterious avatar Niko as they progress the game accomplishing missions together. The revelations of which [like his hardships fighting in the war or mob bosses from his home country who are out to get him] make the player feel empathetic towards this character whom if his backstory was presented early in the narrative, before the attatchment/relationship to Niko was developed, would not have nearly as much significance to the player.
This strategy of developing a strong world for the player to believe in, then having this empty vessel for the player to progress the game and develop some form of an affinity to, then dropping this vessel's exposition into the equation is a very effective way to make the player feel immersed in a game and invest emotionally/mentally, achieving optimal enjoyment out of the narrative.
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