Practical Game Design

Friend/Assistant

A friend or assistant is a very common NPC in a multitude of games. It might be someone that needs the player's help or is offering it. He can be one of the main parts of the plot or even a playable character. Friendship is a strong thing and it can create a sense of bond and belonging. Trust, empathy, joy, and also envy and competition are all emotions related to a friend. Some of the best examples are The boy and Trico from The Last Guardian, Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us, and Lydia (and the player) in Skyrim.