Video Game Character Ideas

Press New character for a role, a shape, a signature move, an idle pose and a weak point.

Video Game Character Ideas: 30 characters

A shopkeeper in the hub between levels. Shape: ears that open sideways into a glider. Signature move: borrows the last move anyone used. When idle: sits down for a cup of tea. Weak point: two colors that look the same to it.

Padlock: keep a part. Arrows: change only that part.

  • Part in the gameshopkeeper in the hub between levels
  • Shapeears that open sideways into a glider
  • Signature moveborrows the last move anyone used
  • When idlesits down for a cup of tea
  • Weak pointtwo colors that look the same to it
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    Character of the day

     

    1. A shopkeeper in the hub between levels. Shape: ears that open sideways into a glider. Signature move: borrows the last move anyone used. When idle: sits down for a cup of tea. Weak point: two colors that look the same to it.
    2. A traveling seller who visits on rainy days only. Shape: a bowl of hair over two dot eyes. Signature move: brews a tea that pauses the clock. When idle: taps the radio and gets only static. Weak point: riddles, which must be stopped for and answered.
    3. A collectible creature that follows once it is found. Shape: gloves twice the size of the head. Signature move: calls down one very small raincloud. When idle: naps on the warmest square of floor. Weak point: a wind that undoes an hour of tidying.
    4. A party member who leaves halfway and comes back changed. Shape: a cloak that hangs as narrow as a furled flag. Signature move: calls down one very small raincloud. When idle: practices a victory pose and gets embarrassed. Weak point: an off switch in plain view, clearly labeled.
    5. A collectible creature that follows once it is found. Shape: a visor that covers the face in one stripe. Signature move: recites a tale so lengthy that the enemy sits down. When idle: searches the pack and finds a sandwich. Weak point: any form filled in properly.
    6. A scientist who appears only on a monitor. Shape: a backpack larger than its owner. Signature move: drops a beacon the others can jump to. When idle: mutters the quest steps in order. Weak point: a long speech that leaves an opening.
    7. A jigsaw maker searching for one missing tile. Shape: wings folded into a tall letter M. Signature move: fires a tow cable and reels things in. When idle: taps the radio and gets only static. Weak point: a debt to the shopkeeper.
    8. A party member who leaves halfway and comes back changed. Shape: a head as big as the rest put together. Signature move: rings the shop bell to gather the village. When idle: kicks a pebble and follows it. Weak point: a debt to the shopkeeper.
    9. A merchant who somehow reaches every dungeon first. Shape: a lantern held out on a long pole. Signature move: turns coins into butterflies as a distraction. When idle: perches on an edge, heels drumming. Weak point: crowds of more than five.
    10. A repair robot the player steers through vents. Shape: a head as big as the rest put together. Signature move: rotates the whole puzzle a quarter turn. When idle: points out a constellation to nobody. Weak point: low ceilings.
    11. A hero the player moves from left to right. Shape: a head as big as the rest put together. Signature move: stamps so hard that the floor ripples outward. When idle: feeds crumbs to a bird that lands on one shoulder. Weak point: a debt to the shopkeeper.
    12. A boss of the second world. Shape: a body like a turnip, with one leaf on top. Signature move: swaps two blocks without touching either. When idle: mutters the quest steps in order. Weak point: the last piece, which is always under the couch.
    13. A repair robot the player steers through vents. Shape: gloves twice the size of the head. Signature move: stretches both arms across a gap to make a bridge. When idle: taps the radio and gets only static. Weak point: a wind that undoes an hour of tidying.
    14. A final boss with three forms, each bigger. Shape: a pullover with cuffs dangling past the fingertips. Signature move: stretches both arms across a gap to make a bridge. When idle: rearranges three objects and puts them back. Weak point: falls asleep if the music slows.
    15. A town guard with a single line of dialogue. Shape: a dish antenna worn like a hat. Signature move: calls down one very small raincloud. When idle: lands a folded paper ship on one palm. Weak point: will not go higher than three blocks.
    16. A hero the player moves from left to right. Shape: a cube with a face on one side only. Signature move: grows a hedge of brambles in one breath. When idle: clicks both boots to test the magnets. Weak point: overheats after three moves.
    17. A blacksmith who upgrades one thing at a time. Shape: a jet pack shaped like two milk bottles. Signature move: waters nine plants in one sweep. When idle: leans on a wall panel that slides open. Weak point: forgets the chase after ten seconds.
    18. A lieutenant of the final boss, having doubts. Shape: a scarf that trails two body lengths behind. Signature move: folds into a suitcase and waits. When idle: clicks both boots to test the magnets. Weak point: any staircase longer than a dozen steps.
    19. A blacksmith who upgrades one thing at a time. Shape: a satchel that hangs lower than the knees. Signature move: talks any animal into following. When idle: doodles a stick figure in the frost on a porthole. Weak point: crowds of more than five.
    20. A rival gardener at the yearly show. Shape: a crane-length arm on one side and a stub on the other. Signature move: sorts a messy shelf at a glance. When idle: jots a single sentence in a pocket notebook. Weak point: rust at the left knee.
    21. A cafe owner who learns a recipe a week. Shape: a head as big as the rest put together. Signature move: flips gravity for three seconds. When idle: pets whatever animal is nearest. Weak point: riddles, which must be stopped for and answered.
    22. A shy villager who takes ten visits to say hello. Shape: a helmet plume as tall again as the head. Signature move: rearranges a room by clapping. When idle: yawns, and the yawn spreads to anyone nearby. Weak point: cannot walk past a crooked picture.
    23. A chronicler who follows the party and gets it wrong. Shape: a spare leg behind, used as a prop. Signature move: throws a lantern that sticks and lights the room. When idle: twirls a wrench like a baton. Weak point: runs out of energy by mid-afternoon without a snack.
    24. A thief who grabs one coin and runs. Shape: a teardrop outline with a curl on top. Signature move: dashes so fast that a row of afterimages is left. When idle: counts the coins and sighs. Weak point: any block that has been pushed into a corner.
    25. A rival met once in each of three worlds. Shape: a round body and two stick legs. Signature move: swaps places with the nearest barrel. When idle: beeps a short tune to itself. Weak point: a restart that takes four seconds.
    26. A ship's mascot who relays the computer's orders. Shape: a cube with a face on one side only. Signature move: jumps a second time off thin air, with a small puff. When idle: drifts off the floor and paddles back down. Weak point: a debt to the shopkeeper.
    27. A train conductor on a one-stop line. Shape: headgear broader than both arms outstretched. Signature move: projects a decoy that waves. When idle: turns the map around twice and gives up. Weak point: cannot swim a stroke.
    28. A mining drone that hums while it works. Shape: a monitor head displaying two glowing dashes. Signature move: counts to three and vanishes on two. When idle: feeds crumbs to a bird that lands on one shoulder. Weak point: cannot swim a stroke.
    29. A mini-boss who guards a bridge. Shape: a tail finished off with a tassel the size of a fist. Signature move: throws their own shadow. When idle: polishes one boot buckle. Weak point: a debt to the shopkeeper.
    30. A rider whose mount has a mind of its own. Shape: roller boots with one wide wheel each. Signature move: reroutes power so doors open and lights go out. When idle: naps on the warmest square of floor. Weak point: slips on any slope steeper than a slide.

    Next step Design the outfit and colorsPose the signature move

    Part in the game: all 60 parts

    Platform and adventure 15

    • bonus character waiting behind a waterfall A dark outline behind falling vertical strokes, with one hand parting them.
    • boss of the second world Make it fill most of the frame, with a small hero at the bottom for scale.
    • checkpoint keeper who waves a flag A stout figure beside a pole, with the flag caught half raised.
    Show all 60 parts (57 more)

    Platform and adventure, continued

    • collectible creature that follows once it is found A small shiny creature with two eyes, hovering a hand above the ground.
    • enemy that patrols one ledge forever Draw a dotted line along the ledge with an arrowhead at each end.
    • final boss with three forms, each bigger Stack the three outlines inside one another, like nesting dolls.
    • first enemy, there only to teach jumping Low, wide and slow, with a flat top that plainly invites a foot.
    • hero the player moves from left to right Face the figure toward the right edge of the page, leaning into the run.
    • mini-boss who guards a bridge Plant the feet wide in the middle of the span, with arms folded.
    • racing ghost of the player's best run The hero's own outline in a pale see-through tone, a step ahead.
    • rival met once in each of three worlds Draw three small versions in a row, each with a little more gear than the last.
    • second player's hero, the same build in another color Draw the hero twice and change only the palette and one accessory.
    • shopkeeper in the hub between levels Half hidden behind a counter, with three items on a shelf and a price under each.
    • sidekick who points at secrets Smaller than the hero, hovering at shoulder height, one arm always out.
    • thief who grabs one coin and runs Low to the ground, leaning far forward, with a sack bouncing behind.

    Quest and fantasy 15

    • blacksmith who upgrades one thing at a time A broad figure in an apron, holding a single small object up to the light.
    • boss who asks a riddle before the fight Seated high, chin on one fist, looking down at a very small party.
    • chronicler who follows the party and gets it wrong A quill, a long scroll, and a look of total confidence.
    • healer who joins in the second town Soft rounded shapes, with open hands and a satchel at the hip.
    • helper summoned for ten seconds at a time Fade the feet out, as if the figure were already leaving.
    • lamplighter who saves the game at each camp A figure reaching up with a long pole to a glowing lamp.
    • lieutenant of the final boss, having doubts Grand shoulders, a lowered head, and a glance over one shoulder.
    • merchant who somehow reaches every dungeon first A cheerful figure on a rug of goods, in a place nobody should be.
    • party member who leaves halfway and comes back changed Two versions side by side: the same face, with a new cloak and a new stance.
    • quest giver with a mark floating overhead Stand it still, hands clasped, with a bright symbol above the head.
    • rider whose mount has a mind of its own The mount's head is turned the opposite way from where the reins are pulling.
    • rival adventurer on the same quest Mirror the hero's pose and reverse the colors.
    • town guard with a single line of dialogue Rigid at a gate, with a speech balloon holding three dots.
    • treasure keeper who must be chased before paying out A small figure in mid-stride with a chest strapped to its back, the lid flapping.
    • village elder who explains the map Bent over a table, with one finger tracing a dotted route.

    Puzzle and cozy 15

    • angler who judges every fish the player lands A folding stool, a notebook, and a hand held out flat to measure.
    • cafe owner who learns a recipe a week Behind a counter with a chalkboard menu, one line of it freshly written.
    • farmer the player guides through four seasons The same figure four times, with a different hat for each season.
    • ghost with one small unfinished errand Pale and round, holding an undelivered parcel in both hands.
    • jigsaw maker searching for one missing tile On hands and knees, lifting the corner of a rug, with one gap in the puzzle behind.
    • librarian who swaps stories for stamps A desk with an ink pad, and a card half full of stamped marks.
    • mail carrier who knows every villager's birthday A satchel, a bicycle, and one envelope with a ribbon on it.
    • museum keeper who wants one of everything Beside a row of plinths, most of them holding only a small label.
    • neighbor who leaves a gift each morning A wave from a doorstep, with a small wrapped parcel on the mat.
    • puzzle hero who can only push, never pull Both palms flat against a crate, with the heels dug in.
    • rival gardener at the yearly show Behind an enormous vegetable, with a rosette already pinned on.
    • shy villager who takes ten visits to say hello Half behind a door, with one eye and one hand showing.
    • stray who can be befriended and never kept Sitting just out of reach on a wall, watching, with a small wave now and then.
    • train conductor on a one-stop line A tiny platform, a single bench, and a whistle on a cord.
    • traveling seller who visits on rainy days only A cart under a patched awning, with rain on every side of it.

    Space and machines 15

    • alien trader who speaks in icons A speech balloon filled with small pictures in place of words.
    • boss who runs the whole station from one chair A huge chair ringed with screens, and a small figure at its center.
    • courier with a fragile crate, escorted by the player Slow and careful, both arms around a crate, with the player's hero close behind.
    • final boss who is rebuilt by a factory after every loss Conveyor belts feed parts toward a huge figure with one side still unfinished.
    • keeper of the coin-fed upgrade machine Leaning on a tall glowing box with a coin slot, with one hand out for the coin.
    • mining drone that hums while it works A drill for a nose, treads, and a few musical notes in the dust.
    • pilot of the smallest ship in the fleet A cockpit barely wider than the helmet, with huge ships behind.
    • repair robot the player steers through vents Boxy and low, with a tool arm, in a square tunnel drawn in perspective.
    • rival pilot with a faster ship and a worse temper Arms crossed on a wing, with the helmet under one elbow.
    • scientist who appears only on a monitor Head and shoulders in a screen frame, with scan lines across the picture.
    • security robot that would rather read than watch the door A lens for a head on a bent neck, pointed at a book and not at the door.
    • ship's mascot who relays the computer's orders A small bright figure pointing up at a wall screen, in the middle of explaining.
    • stowaway found in the cargo bay in level three Peering over the edge of an open crate, with packing straw in the hair.
    • wind-up enemy that stops when its key stops A big key in the back, drawn at the very end of its turn.
    • wingmate who tells jokes over the radio A small portrait in a corner frame, grinning, with a headset on.

    How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, October 2026. Made up for this list: roles a game needs filled, named in plain words. No game, studio or character is named. That a boss is a powerful enemy placed as a major opponent, and that a non-player character is one no player controls, was checked on 2026-10-02 against the English Wikipedia articles Boss (video games) and Non-player character. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

    Shape: all 60 shapes

    Platform and adventure 15

    • a backpack larger than its owner The pack makes the outline, and the figure hangs from its straps.
    • a bell-shaped coat down to the floor Hide the feet and let the hem swing a beat behind the body.
    • a head as big as the rest put together Divide the height in two: the top half is all head.
    Show all 60 shapes (57 more)

    Platform and adventure, continued

    • a round body and two stick legs A circle on two lines. Give the feet a clear direction.
    • a scarf that trails two body lengths behind The scarf shows which way the figure just moved. Draw it last.
    • a square body under a huge round hat Fill the outline in solid black first. If it still reads, add the face.
    • a tail finished off with a tassel the size of a fist Use the tail as a second arm: it points, props and curls.
    • a tall cap that leans back at a run Bend the cap away from the direction of travel.
    • a teardrop outline with a curl on top One smooth line from the curl, down around the base and back up.
    • an upside-down triangle balanced on small shoes Wide shoulders narrowing to nothing, like a spinning top.
    • ears that open sideways into a glider Show two poses: the ears down at rest, and flat out in the air.
    • gloves twice the size of the head Draw the hands first and fit the body between them.
    • legs like coiled springs, ending in flat feet Squash the coils flat for a crouch and stretch them long for a jump.
    • one big eye and a body like a jellybean Center the eye, and let the pupil alone do the acting.
    • shoes so big that the legs vanish into them Two large ovals, with the body sitting directly on top.

    Quest and fantasy 15

    • a cask-shaped trunk and a crown no bigger than a ring Make the crown comically small and put it dead center.
    • a cloak that hangs as narrow as a furled flag A tall narrow cone, with only a nose or a hand breaking the edge.
    • a crooked staff taller than its owner Stand the staff at the edge of the figure, so it reads as a separate line.
    • a helmet plume as tall again as the head Curve the plume backward and let it follow every turn.
    • a hood with two long ears sewn onto it A soft triangle with two upright flaps that flop over on every landing.
    • a lantern held out on a long pole The light is the head of the outline, and the figure trails behind it.
    • a pack frame hung with pots and lanterns Break the outline with dangling shapes that all swing the same way.
    • a paintbrush tuft on the tip of a thin tail Curl the tail up, so the tuft stands clear of the body.
    • a robe that widens to a perfect cone Only the toes show under the hem. The cone hardly sways as it walks.
    • a shield carried on the back like a shell From the side it is a half circle, with legs under it and a head in front.
    • headgear broader than both arms outstretched From the front the figure is a flat line over a short post.
    • horns curled like a pair of bugles Keep the body simple and let all the detail sit above the head.
    • one gauntlet big enough to sit in The glove rests on the ground like a third foot.
    • shoulder guards wider than the body is tall The outline is a letter T. Keep the head small between the plates.
    • wings folded into a tall letter M Two peaks rising above the head, even when at rest.

    Puzzle and cozy 15

    • a bib apron and a ladle the height of a child A rectangle on the front and one long diagonal line.
    • a body like a turnip, with one leaf on top One soft shape and one small flag that droops and perks up with its mood.
    • a body shaped like a teapot, with a spout for an arm One curved arm up and one hand on the hip finish the shape.
    • a bowl of hair over two dot eyes A half circle on top and nothing else on the face but the dots.
    • a bundle of letters under one arm, fanning out A wedge of thin rectangles sticking out behind the elbow.
    • a collar turned up past the ears Two stiff points beside the head, with the eyes just above the cloth.
    • a cube with a face on one side only Show three faces of the cube. Only the front has eyes.
    • a knit cap topped with a huge pom-pom The pom-pom lags behind on turns. Draw it a little off center.
    • a pullover with cuffs dangling past the fingertips End each arm in a soft rounded tube.
    • a satchel that hangs lower than the knees A long strap across the body, and a bag that bumps the shins.
    • a sun hat with a notch nibbled from its edge The notch tells which way the head is facing.
    • a tail curled into a perfect spiral Draw the spiral with one line. It unwinds a little when surprised.
    • a watering can carried like a handbag Hang it from the crook of the elbow, with the spout pointing ahead.
    • dungarees hanging from a single shoulder button The loose strap swings and breaks an otherwise square outline.
    • waders so tall that they meet the belt Two tall tubes, with a small body perched on top of them.

    Space and machines 15

    • a boxy chest with one round porthole Put something behind the glass: a light, a gear or a small fish.
    • a cape of solar panels Stiff rectangles hinged at the shoulders, tilted toward the nearest light.
    • a crane-length arm on one side and a stub on the other An uneven outline. The long arm drags a little on the ground.
    • a dish antenna worn like a hat A shallow bowl tipped to one side, with a small rod at its center.
    • a domed head and boots as wide as tank treads A half circle on two long ovals. Give it no neck.
    • a fishbowl helmet above a pencil-slim collar A big clear circle, with the face small and low inside it.
    • a jet pack shaped like two milk bottles Two rounded cylinders on the back, each with a small cone under it.
    • a monitor head displaying two glowing dashes Change the mood by redrawing only the two shapes on the screen.
    • a spare leg behind, used as a prop A tripod stance at rest. The spare leg folds up out of the way for a run.
    • a tail of cables that drags behind Loose loops on the floor, with one plug at the very end.
    • a torso of three hoops with daylight between Leave gaps between the rings, so the background shows through.
    • a visor that covers the face in one stripe A single band of light across a dark head.
    • an antenna twice as tall as the body A thin line with a ball on top that wobbles after every stop.
    • roller boots with one wide wheel each Lean the body forward to roll and backward to brake.
    • shoulder lamps like a pair of headlights Two cones of light that cross in front of the figure.

    How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, October 2026. Made up for this list: outlines meant to read when the character is very small on a screen. That a silhouette is a subject shown as one solid shape whose edge matches its outline was checked on 2026-10-02 against the English Wikipedia article Silhouette. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

    Signature move: all 60 moves

    Platform and adventure 15

    • bounces off walls three times before landing Draw a zigzag path between two walls, with a small star at each touch.
    • dashes so fast that a row of afterimages is left Repeat the outline four times, each one paler than the last.
    • floats down under an open umbrella The legs hang loose and the umbrella tilts into the wind.
    Show all 60 moves (57 more)

    Platform and adventure, continued

    • jumps a second time off thin air, with a small puff A little cloud under the feet, halfway up the leap.
    • rolls up like a poster to fit through pipes Show three steps: standing, curling from the feet, and a tube with eyes.
    • runs up walls for exactly four steps Number the footprints on the wall and let the fifth fall off.
    • skids to a stop, and the skid knocks things over Lean far back with the heels out, with dust and falling objects ahead.
    • slides down slopes on the belly Arms forward and chin up, with a fan of dust behind.
    • spins like a top to hover for a moment Blur the outline into rings and lift the feet a hand off the ground.
    • stacks crates into stairs in two seconds Three crates in mid-air, each one already above the last.
    • stamps so hard that the floor ripples outward Raise one knee high, then draw rings in the ground around the foot.
    • stretches both arms across a gap to make a bridge The body sags in the middle, with the fingers gripping the far edge.
    • throws their own shadow Peel the shadow off the floor like a sheet, with one corner still stuck down.
    • tucks into a ball and ricochets off the floor A tight ball with motion arcs that get smaller each time.
    • whistles to call a platform over Two fingers at the mouth, and a floating block changing course.

    Quest and fantasy 15

    • borrows the last move anyone used Show the pose of another character with this one's outline.
    • calls down one very small raincloud A cloud the size of a pillow, raining on a single square.
    • chalks a doorway onto brick and steps inside Chalk in the hand, a rough rectangle, and one leg already inside.
    • charges behind a shield and cannot stop The feet off the ground, and a figure-shaped hole in a hedge behind.
    • counts to three and vanishes on two Two raised fingers, and a dotted outline where the body was.
    • grows a hedge of brambles in one breath Thorny loops springing from the ground between two groups.
    • heals the party by serving soup A ladle, a pot, and a row of small bowls with steam rising.
    • plants a seed that is a tree by the next turn A small hole in the ground on one side, and a trunk on the other.
    • recites a tale so lengthy that the enemy sits down An open book, a raised finger, and a weary opponent on the floor.
    • rings a bell that makes everyone skip a turn A hand bell at the top of its swing, and still figures all around.
    • sings a note that puts a whole room to sleep Mouth open wide, and every other figure slumping with closed eyes.
    • swaps places with the nearest barrel Two curved arrows crossing, with a puff of smoke at each end.
    • throws a lantern that sticks and lights the room The lantern on the far wall, with rays filling a dark corner.
    • turns coins into butterflies as a distraction A tossed handful, round at the bottom and winged at the top.
    • whistles up a wind that blows everything one square back A grid on the ground, and everyone sliding the same way.

    Puzzle and cozy 15

    • brews a tea that pauses the clock A lifted cup, and a clock face with both hands drooping.
    • catches three fish on one cast A single line with three hooks, and three splashes.
    • hums the weather into changing Musical notes rising to a cloud that is moving aside.
    • knits a striped walkway over a chasm Two needles, a ball of yarn, and a striped span growing forward.
    • paints one tile, and every touching tile follows A brush on one square, and color spreading outward in steps.
    • pushes a whole row of crates with one nudge A fingertip on the first crate and motion lines on all of them.
    • rearranges a room by clapping The furniture in mid-hop, with small lines around the hands.
    • rings the shop bell to gather the village A small bell over a door, and heads turning along a street.
    • rotates the whole puzzle a quarter turn A square board at an angle, with a curved arrow around it.
    • sighs, and the previous five moves unhappen Footprints leading backward, each one fainter.
    • sorts a messy shelf at a glance Books in mid-flight, lining up by height.
    • swaps two blocks without touching either Two tiles trading places, with a small spark between them.
    • talks any animal into following A line of different animals behind the figure, largest first.
    • waters nine plants in one sweep One wide arc of droplets across a square of sprouts.
    • wraps a gift in one motion Paper and ribbon in the air, already closing around a box.

    Space and machines 15

    • boosts in a straight line and cannot steer A long flame behind, and a wall coming up in front.
    • drops a beacon the others can jump to A small blinking post, with dotted arcs leading to it.
    • fires a tow cable and reels things in A straight line from the wrist to a crate, with a small hook at the end.
    • flips gravity for three seconds Draw the room once, with everything loose now on the ceiling.
    • folds into a suitcase and waits Limbs tucked in, a handle on top, and two eyes still showing.
    • magnetizes every loose bolt in the room Small bolts flying in from every side toward one raised hand.
    • opens a small umbrella of light as a shield A glowing half dome just large enough for one.
    • paints a ring on the floor, and a supply crate lands in it A ring on the ground and a square shadow growing inside it.
    • prints a spare part in mid-air A beam from the palm, with an object appearing in layers from the bottom up.
    • projects a decoy that waves A second outline in dashed lines, with one arm raised.
    • reroutes power so doors open and lights go out One hand in a wall panel, a dark corridor, and a bright doorway.
    • runs at double speed, then has to rest One blurred pose, and one bent over with steam rising.
    • scans a wall and sees through it A fan of light from the eyes, with a pale outline of the next room.
    • splits into two half-size copies A dotted line down the middle, and two small figures stepping apart.
    • turns off its own lights and coasts past unseen A dark outline against a lit corridor, with two dim dots where the eyes were.

    How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, October 2026. Made up for this list: one thing the character does that no other does. None is a wound or a weapon. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

    When idle: all 60 idle poses

    Platform and adventure 15

    • balances on one foot until it wobbles Arms out, with wavy lines at the ankle.
    • bounces a pebble on one knee The pebble at the top of its hop, with the knee raised.
    • checks a watch that has no hands Wrist up, head down, then a puzzled shake of the wrist.
    Show all 60 idle poses (57 more)

    Platform and adventure, continued

    • counts remaining lives on the fingers Three fingers up, a frown, then two.
    • draws in the dirt with a toe A small spiral on the ground and hands behind the back.
    • hums the level's tune, a little off key Eyes shut, head nodding, and one bent musical note.
    • peers over the nearest ledge On hands and knees at the edge, with the head hanging down.
    • perches on an edge, heels drumming Seated on an edge with the feet apart, one forward and one back.
    • practices a victory pose and gets embarrassed The arm starts up, then drops, with a glance to both sides.
    • spins a collected coin on its edge A coin blurred into a small ball on the ground, and a crouched watcher.
    • stretches like a runner before a race One leg out to the side, with the hand reaching for the toe.
    • ties and reties one shoelace Crouched over one foot, with the tongue between the teeth.
    • tightens a strap, loosens it, and tightens it again One hand at the shoulder, tugging, with the head turned to check.
    • waves out of the screen Look straight at the viewer with one hand up, a little unsure.
    • yawns, and the yawn spreads to anyone nearby A wide mouth, and a second wide mouth in the background.

    Quest and fantasy 15

    • builds a tiny campfire and warms both hands Three sticks, one small flame, and palms held out.
    • counts the coins and sighs A small purse turned upside down, and one coin falling.
    • feeds crumbs to a bird that lands on one shoulder Head turned toward the shoulder, with an open palm raised.
    • kicks a pebble and follows it A short dotted arc on the ground, and one step taken.
    • mutters the quest steps in order Counting on the fingers, with the lips moving.
    • plays cat's cradle with a length of string A web of crossed lines stretched between two hands.
    • points out a constellation to nobody Arm up, finger out, with the head tilted back.
    • polishes one boot buckle Leg crossed over the knee, with a cloth in small circles.
    • reads a signpost twice, then reads its back Leaning around a wooden post to look at its blank side.
    • rehearses a speech for the final boss One hand on the chest and the other sweeping out. Then start again.
    • searches the pack and finds a sandwich An arm in the bag to the elbow, then a pleased look.
    • sketches the last enemy in a journal A book on the forearm, with the pencil measuring at arm's length.
    • tunes a lute that is never played in battle An ear to the strings, with one hand on a peg.
    • turns the map around twice and gives up Rotate the sheet, frown, rotate it again, then fold it away.
    • writes a letter home, one word at a time Paper on the knee, with the pen tapping the chin between words.

    Puzzle and cozy 15

    • counts the flowers and loses count Pointing along a row, then starting over.
    • greets each passing villager by name A small wave to the left, then one to the right.
    • hums and sways from foot to foot Tilt the whole body left, then right, with the hands clasped behind.
    • jots a single sentence in a pocket notebook A small book close to the face, with the pencil moving.
    • naps on the warmest square of floor Curled on the ground inside a bright square.
    • pets whatever animal is nearest Crouched, with one hand flat on a small back.
    • plays a tune on a blade of grass Both thumbs at the lips, with the fingers cupped.
    • puffs at a seed head and watches it scatter Cheeks puffed, and a trail of tiny parachutes.
    • rearranges three objects and puts them back Hands moving items along a shelf, ending where they began.
    • sits down for a cup of tea A cup lifted in both hands, with the steam making a small curl.
    • skips a stone, or mimes it where there is no water A sidearm throw, with the eyes following three hops.
    • sweeps the same tile again A broom in short strokes over one square.
    • takes out a piece of knitting Two needles crossed, with a short striped strip hanging.
    • turns out a pocket and finds a button A pocket lining pulled out, and a small disc on the palm.
    • waters the nearest thing, plant or not A can tipped over a signpost, quite seriously.

    Space and machines 15

    • argues quietly with a voice in the helmet Looking up and to one side, with one finger raised.
    • beeps a short tune to itself Three small rising marks beside the head.
    • checks the air gauge and shrugs A glance at a chest dial, then both palms up.
    • clicks both boots to test the magnets The heels knock together, then one foot sticks to the floor.
    • doodles a stick figure in the frost on a porthole A small figure on the glass, drawn with one fingertip from the inside.
    • drifts off the floor and paddles back down Feet a hand above the deck, with the arms swimming.
    • lands a folded paper ship on one palm A paper dart in a slow curve, and a careful open hand.
    • leans on a wall panel that slides open Caught halfway through the fall, with one arm windmilling.
    • plays a handheld game of its own Head bowed over a small device, with the thumbs busy.
    • polishes the visor with an elbow The arm crosses the face in a quick rub.
    • powers down a little, eyes dimming The lights fade to half, then snap back on.
    • projects a tiny star map and pokes at it A cluster of dots over the open palm, with one finger among them.
    • runs a self-check and frowns at the result Looking down at a wrist panel with a tilted head.
    • taps the radio and gets only static A hand at the ear, with jagged lines beside the helmet.
    • twirls a wrench like a baton A circle of motion at the hand, then a catch.

    How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, October 2026. Made up for this list. That an idle animation is the movement a game character makes while the player gives it nothing to do was checked on 2026-10-02 against the English Wikipedia article Idle animation. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

    Weak point: all 60 weak points

    Platform and adventure 15

    • can be led around in circles A round track of footprints, with the figure still on it.
    • cannot swim a stroke Standing at the edge of the water with one toe out, leaning back.
    • cannot turn around quickly Show the body facing one way and the eyes straining the other.
    Show all 60 weak points (57 more)

    Platform and adventure, continued

    • drops everything when startled Hands open, objects in mid-air, and the hair on end.
    • falls asleep if the music slows Drooping eyelids, with one long note drawn above the head.
    • forgets the chase after ten seconds In mid-run, slowing down, with a question mark overhead.
    • gets dizzy after one spin Spirals for eyes, and feet crossed over each other.
    • is startled by a mirror Jumping back from a reflection that is doing the same.
    • loses all grip on ice Feet going in two directions, with the arms circling.
    • needs a long pause after every big jump Bent over with hands on knees, and a small puff of breath.
    • slips on any slope steeper than a slide Sitting down suddenly on a hillside, already moving.
    • stops for any cake, however obvious the trap A cake on a plate under a propped-up box.
    • stops to look at anything shiny A sudden halt, with the head turned and a small star in each eye.
    • ticklish from behind A hunched laugh, with the shoulders up around the ears.
    • will not go higher than three blocks At the top of a short stack, hugging it, eyes shut.

    Quest and fantasy 15

    • a debt to the shopkeeper A long bill held up between two figures.
    • a line of salt on the ground Toes right at the edge of a thin white line.
    • a long speech that leaves an opening Mouth open, one finger up, while the others tiptoe past.
    • a row of buttons, which must be done up first Stopped in the middle of a chase, fastening a coat from the bottom.
    • a soft spot for the smallest member of any party Crouched to eye level with someone small, with the guard down.
    • a true name, written inside one boot A boot held upside down, with someone squinting into it.
    • an old promise that cannot be broken A hand half raised to act, then lowered, with a glance at a ring of string.
    • any staircase longer than a dozen steps Looking up a long flight, with the shoulders sagging.
    • any tune in a cheerful key A foot that taps against its owner's will.
    • the crow of a rooster Hands over the ears, with a small bird on a fence in the distance.
    • the first light of morning, when it must be home A long shadow, and one arm shielding the face from a low light.
    • kindness, which leaves it confused Holding a gift at arm's length, with the head on one side.
    • politeness: cannot act while being bowed to Two figures bowing in turn, with neither able to stop.
    • riddles, which must be stopped for and answered Frozen in mid-stride, chin in hand.
    • running water, even a ditch Pacing along a bank, looking for a bridge.

    Puzzle and cozy 15

    • a rival's better pie Two pies on a table, and a long thoughtful look at one of them.
    • a wind that undoes an hour of tidying Leaves or papers lifting off a neat pile.
    • any block that has been pushed into a corner A crate wedged where two walls meet, and a head resting against it.
    • cannot walk past a crooked picture Stopped in mid-step with one hand already reaching out.
    • crowds of more than five Counting heads, then stepping behind a tree.
    • forgets birthdays, then overdoes the present A parcel far larger than the door it has to go through.
    • gets lost anywhere south of the bridge Standing at a fork in the path, turning the map around.
    • the last piece, which is always under the couch Flat on the floor, with an arm reaching into the dark.
    • leaves the watering can somewhere new each day A can abandoned in an odd place: on a roof or in a tree.
    • oversleeps on every festival day A bed, a lump, and bunting visible through the window.
    • rainy days, spent entirely on the porch Sitting on a step under the eaves, with the chin in both hands.
    • runs out of energy by mid-afternoon without a snack Shoulders drooping, with a small empty meter drawn above the head.
    • stops to read every notice on the village board Nose close to a pinned sheet, with a line forming behind.
    • too polite to end a conversation Edging away sideways, still nodding.
    • two colors that look the same to it Holding up two tiles and looking from one to the other.

    Space and machines 15

    • a battery that lasts exactly one room A charge bar on the chest, down to its last sliver at the door.
    • a camera eye that must stop to refocus A lens ring turning, and a blurred figure slipping by.
    • a restart that takes four seconds Eyes showing a small spinning mark, and the body slack.
    • an off switch in plain view, clearly labeled A large toggle on the back, with a small tag.
    • any form filled in properly Holding a sheet of paper, defeated, and stamping it.
    • follows any order far too literally Carrying a door, having been told to bring it.
    • loses the signal behind thick walls An antenna drooping, with broken wave lines.
    • low ceilings Bent double in a corridor, with a dent overhead.
    • magnets of any size Stuck flat to a wall, with the limbs spread.
    • music, which makes it stop and listen Head tilted, lights pulsing in time, and all work forgotten.
    • one open vent at the back A small grille between the shoulder blades, with heat lines rising.
    • overheats after three moves Steam from the joints and a red glow at the edges.
    • runs on sunlight and slows in the shade Bright and upright in a sunbeam, dim and stooped one step beyond it.
    • rust at the left knee One joint drawn rougher, with a squeak mark at each step.
    • sand in the gears A cutaway of two cogs with grit between the teeth.

    How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, October 2026. Made up for this list: a flaw of habit, of timing or of build that a player could learn to use. None is an injury. The notes are our own drawing advice. Licence: own work

    How it works

    Each result is one invented game character in five parts: the part it plays, a shape that reads when small, a signature move, what it does when the player stops, and a weak point.

    Read the full guide

    Start with the part it plays

    A game needs a hero, but also a shopkeeper, a first enemy that teaches jumping and a boss for the second world. The role decides how large the character is drawn and how often a player sees it.

    A shape and an idle pose

    Fill the outline in solid black: if the character can still be told from the others, the shape works. An idle animation is what a game character does while the player gives it nothing to do. One ties and reties one shoelace; another rehearses a speech for the final boss.

    • Draw the signature move as three key poses: the wind-up, the action and the landing.
    • Let the weak point show in the design, so that a player could guess it.

    Questions and answers

    How do you come up with a video game character?

    Decide what the game needs first: a hero, a rival, a shopkeeper, a boss. Then give that role a shape that reads at a small size, one move nobody else has, an idle pose and a weak point. Each press deals all five.

    How do I make a game character easy to recognize?

    Fill the character in as one solid shape and see whether it can still be told apart from the rest of the cast. Every shape on this page is written as an outline first, such as a square body under a huge round hat.

    Are these characters from real games?

    No. Every role, shape, move, idle pose and weak point was written for this page. No game, studio or character is named.

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