Gênero, estética e arquétipos: um estudo sobre o design de personagens em RPGs digitais

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of narrative archetypes on the visual, functional, and symbolic design of characters in digital RPGs, analyzing how these constructions engage with issues of gender, aesthetics, and social impact. The research is grounded in the articulation between classical theories—such as the studies of Jung, Campbell, and Vogler—and critical contemporary perspectives, including Murdock's Heroine's Journey, to examine the reproduction and subversion of stereotypes in interactive media. Using contemporary games merely as illustrative examples, the study focuses on the empirical verification of player perception through a quantitative and qualitative survey. The results demonstrate how design choices and narrative depth affect different demographic profiles, revealing the consequences of representation (or the lack thereof) on the immersive experience and the formation of social imaginaries. Finally, the work proposes that the conscious integration of aesthetics, gender, and archetypes is fundamental not only for player engagement but for building a more inclusive and emotionally complex gaming culture