A VERY small/quick question!

[igloo9]

I have a quick question about by story. I'm not sure which way to go. One way seems a bit more realistic and less cliche (in my opinion), but it might screw up other parts of the story.

Basically, one of the most important characters in the story, is, well... You don't know if he's good or bad. From his perspective, and the perspective of people he meets, he's a good person. From the perspective of the people in the corporation he worked for, he is bad/evil. However, from the player's perspective, it's either. Same goes for the main character and his party members. You and the character don't know what to think of him.

Now, without saying much, you find out in the game's past that he started a project that was stopped, but he returns in the present time to finish it.

How should I go about this?

Option 1: He originally just started experimenting with stuff. He used dangerous tools and chemicals. He combined them, fused them, mixed, etc. and made some powerful experiments, but it was so overpowering that it corrupted his mind and made him half-crazy. By him turning half-crazy, he thought of a project to work on (which is what the story is about). In reality, the project is impossible, but he thinks it is because he is crazy. The corporation tries to stop him.

Option 2: The project really IS possible. He never turned crazy; he just realized he could do this experiment. With this option, the corporation still tries to stop him. They know it is possible to do this, but they won't let him because it is way too dangerous and harmful.

I can't say much else, but option 1 would make a lot more sense and be easier to explain later with certain crucial events that happen. With option 2, I have to explain more WHY the events that happen later actually happened. However, option 2 seems like it gives more room to develop this character and have different people view him in different ways. If I made him crazy, everyone would view him the same way.

So, what do you think? Which is more interesting? Option 1 or 2? Thanks!

Edit: Or, I could kind of combine them both? Make it to where...from his own perspective and perspective of people he meets, he isn't crazy/he's normal/nice. From the perspective of the corporation, he is crazy. So you don't really know if he is or not?

Ok, this question turned out bigger than I thought. o_o

 

[action]

Hmm, if I had to choose from the two, I'd say the second. It's still cliche, but not quite as much as the first. The first conradicts his friends liking him, and has been used ALOT.
Now, I myself recommend that he is creating something useful, that can be done, but the corporation is trying to stop him because of their own choice. They might have wanted the credit, and the money that came with it, rather than him taking it for himself, leaving the corp, and selling it on ebay or something. This is my opinion, and it is completely up to you.

Hope this helps,
Lonelyelf

 

[zchin]

I have to chose two too, because the character has to be likable, otherwise the story isn't as interesting, but if he's evil then that would give it a twist and make it sound less cliche...

Thank you and have a nice day!

 

[igloo9]

Well, about him being likeable, his personality would be the same either way. If he turned crazy, he wouldn't have an evil personality. The only difference is...

-On the non-crazy version (option 2), He's working on this experiment which a corporation is trying to stop because it's too dangerous.

-On the one where he turns crazy, the experiment isn't even possible but he thinks it is. So, he starts doing stuff to get it to work that is harmful, and the corporation tries to stop him.

He has the same personality either way and still will be a likeable character, it's just that on one option, the project is possible, but the other option, it's impossible. Him turning crazy basically makes him think he can do it. It doesn't actually make him evil.

Still option 2, or do you want to change to option 1? I just wanted to clear that up, heh.

 

[Crystalgate]

The character being morally ambiguous seems to be a big point here. I would say that option 2 accomplishes it best. Option 1 doesn't necessarily make him evil, but it's easy to know what to think of him; he's crazy and his project has to be stopped.

Edit: Or, I could kind of combine them both? Make it to where...from his own perspective and perspective of people he meets, he isn't crazy/he's normal/nice. From the perspective of the corporation, he is crazy. So you don't really know if he is or not?

This one sounds really sweet. Just make sure both sides are represented as fairly as possible. If say the corporation is represented by men in expensive suits while "people he meets" are represented by family members, the player will assume the "correct" verdict is "not crazy".