Research on the Visual Aesthetics and Narrative Design of Characters in Chinese Two-Dimensional Games: A Case Study of miHoYo Games
Abstract
One of the most prominent phenomena in the Chinese gaming industry is the rise of the "Two-Dimensional" culture. miHoYo, as a leader in this sector, has achieved remarkable global success through its game titles. The main objective of this paper is to explore the core logic of character design through the study of miHoYo’s representative titles, such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The first part analyzes the character system from the perspective of the characters' visual aesthetic framework, which consists of symbolical design, color narrative, and technological integration. The second part examines the narrative design of characters, encompassing fragmented narration, character stories, and player emotional projection. The paper delves into the ways the two sides mutually reinforce each other to create not only highly attractive but also commercially valuable character IPs, thereby revealing the evolutionary directions of China’s domestic Two-Dimensional games as well as the global gaming industry at large. The findings provide critical insights for the evolution of domestic Chinese Two-Dimensional games and the global gaming industry.
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