What Makes a Good Video Game Villain?

With David Warner’s masterfully delivered opening lines we’re introduced to the coldly detached and ruthlessly calculating Jon Irenicus. It’s not long before circumstance carries you away from his underground lab, but his far-reaching influence is felt again and again as the game progresses.

[versusALL]

I think what makes any good villain, no matter what media is a combination of intelligence and power. I thought best video game villains this gen were Saren, and The Illusive Man.

[DryPancake]

I think the best villain is one who is merciless and who actually has a plan and a motive. Most videogames today have the villain as just a 'bad guy' with no reason as to why.

[versusALL]

Exactly! I think most video games should take notes from movies and books as they have the best villains.

[Blacktric]

I completely agree about Saren but Illusive Man is nothing but a botched villain thanks to Mass Effect 3.

[brish]

I think the best video game villain is Bobby Kotick.

He has power but I don't know about intelligence.

[NastyLeftHook0]

sharp pointy things

[WeskerChildReborned]

Something that seperates them from other villians.

[Chris558]

There is no rule what makes good villian he has to be badass or just someone differend outstanding person

[TekoIie]

Depends one what sort of villain your going for. Is it a big tough guy who is a challenge for the protagonist in a fight face to face? Or is it a leader of the enemy forces who always manages to escape you?

Then theres personality! This is where there are endless possibilities :D

[Sensu]

A villain is someone who actually seems like a good guy at first, then turns out to be pure evil. How'd he make us believe and trust him?!

Can't wait for this guy to be slain at the end of the game.

Good... villain. Right there.

[RedHotChiliPepaSpray]

like harvey dent/two face.

[Moncole]

Good writing.

[ame22]

It really is that simple people.

[RedHotChiliPepaSpray]

A lack of empathy and morals. Someone who doesnt have boundaries. The Joker in the TDK is a brilliant example of this. Colonel Radec is good too, simply because of how ruthless he is ( not only his actions against the ISA but the way he takes out his own men without remorse or hesitation)

Also the ability to use wit and intelligence to crush the main character instead of just strength (which is why the Joker is so good).

[HeavenlySnipes]

Proper motive, intelligence, and an air of cockiness. They have to also have some sort of randomness in their actions, as to not be predictable to not only the 'hero' but also to the audience watching.

Its why the Dark Knight was such a great movie. The Joker wasn't predictable and it his intentions were greater than the generic "I want to take over/destroy the world"

[Tex117]

All depends on how it is written.

Some villians you sympathize with.

Some villians you hate.

Some have all the motive in the world

Others dont have any.

But so long as they are DEVELOPED and not given the "big bad ass motif" and "I want to destroy the world" then they can be good.

[ab5olut10n]

THIS

[shaun mcwayne]

Find out that hes your father.

[Kingdom Come]

One of the most important factors of what makes a "Good Villain" is writing, this is what deters characterisations and representations. Whilst not an example from a video game, take the two hugely differentiating interpretations of Harvey Dent/ Two-Face from The Dark Knight and Batman Forever, whilst the first is a carefully managed, disturbingly sympathised character, weakened by his encounters and losses throughout the movie, he has become tainted and wears his scars with equal pride to that of which he did his innocent smile during campaigns.

The latter was a terribly mis-characterised creature, seemingly intent on mimicking the Jokers identity and over playing the duality of his own, and, inevitably, this lead to the audience labelling him as pathetic, forgettable and, to be blunt, Crap. They don't feel that same shock when witnessing Harvey's deterioration and crimes within the Dark Knight and therefor, they don't enjoy the experience.

A good villain originates from good writing, acting and one of whom makes a lasting impact on the protagonist's life, and not in a good way.

[Treian]

intelligence, power, and mutiple epic battles!=seymour ffx