Interpretations on In-Game NPCs

[Koukoubean]

We all know that it would be very hard to design every individual character inside the game, as it would take too much space inside the cartridge, so we're just down to a few, default sprites for each Trainer class and even for some non-battleable NPCs. The thing that has bugged me for a while, being a fanfic writer who wants to be creative and make it fit into game canon at the same time, is the regard on their individual personalities and appearances:

Do all individuals from a same Trainer class really look the same? Do they wear a common uniform to identify themselves? Could they be different from how we see them or is there more to them than just a battle and a few phrases?

Personally, I am of the opinion that despite some people thinking (jokingly or not) they all look identical, that it could be as in our world; everyone with a distinct appearance and personality. Perhaps they could wear uniforms, but that's highly unlikely as well, because not all would have the same taste. Also, I like to interpret even the characters that aren't able to be battled; giving them names, a particular aspect, expanded personality, backstories, and (plausible) teams of their own is very fun, because it goes both ways in originality and they fit into canon as well. But if they are battleable NPCs, maybe the appearance is the only thing that needs to be changed, along with an expansion on their individual traits.

How do you interpret them? Have you ever thought about this? Feel free to discuss.

 

[Infinity Mk-II]

One thing is thinking all pokémon look identical. I think that's wrong, but one can see plenty of similarities between two creatures of the same random species.

But that applied to TRAINERS? does anyone actually, seriously think that?

Anyway, absolutely of course. It's the whole point of there being trainers, they are all and each single one an unique NPC, with a possible unique story. They just share sprites because it'd be a pointless level of detail for an ultimately irrelevant part of the game and the sprite assigned to them tells you enough of what you have to think about them anyway.

I take it as a loose guideline. Like, all bug catchers do look similar, being in their mayority kids wearing simple shirts and probably shorts, and perhaps holding a net or a cage. But they are not identical, that'd be silly.

I mean, there are plenty of Youngsters, but only one of them who keeps calling you about how their Rattata is awesome, and only one who sees that swarm of pokémon in that route or whatever. They are different people, so while it'd make sense for them to share similar characteristics... yeah. And they clearly have different backgrounds. Heck, there are plenty of NPCs, that are in the same category, but have pretty much opposing personalities!


It's a game that emphatizes the uniqueness of each player and trainer, so you are supposed to see all in-game trainers as completelly different.

With Pokémon I'm the same. The sprite is a generic appearance, the pokémon in question may look different (and there have been constantly pokémon with notable differences across all the franchise). It's the reason why shinies exist to begin with.

 

[Almonds]

I mean, there are plenty of Youngsters, but only one of them who keeps calling you about how their Rattata is awesome, and only one who sees that swarm of pokémon in that route or whatever. They are different people, so while it'd make sense for them to share similar characteristics... yeah. And they clearly have different backgrounds. Heck, there are plenty of NPCs, that are in the same category, but have pretty much opposing personalities!

We gotta give Youngster Joey credit for that XDD and Hiker Anthony.

The NPC's are all different from each other - like Infinity noted, they all got different personalities and background stories. As for the clothing, certain trainers are easily explained. Rangers or Scouts, Campers, Bikers, Pilots, Clerks, etc etc might have dress-codes in their groups. Psychics are usually dressed in comfortable clothing that would channel their powers easily. Dragon Tamers probably idolize Lance enough to follow his fashion, and trainers in the sports area (swimmers, hikers, tennis players, cyclists, skiiers etc) are dressed in their respective clothing.

But I don't know why they like the same colors...XDD

 

[Kihote]

But I don't know why they like the same colors...XDD

Simple answer, there is one large company which monopolizes clothing and refuses to make any other colors u.u

Anyway, yeah, I like to give each npc their own back story at times since they are in fact all unique. There are some npcs which I just find amazing and wish they had their own sprite but that would use up too much memory which could be used in other aspects.

Anyway though, I figure the sprites are the 'basic template' for what those in a trainer class look like. Basically what a stereotypical member of said class looks like, all we can assume is what we see, but for all we know the programmers might see them each uniquely too. A guy can dream right?