I absolutely love when games include background aging for the protagonist. Two examples that stand out are Fable and The Witcher 3. This feature adds depth by showing how time passes during quests and adventures. Subtle changes like your character growing a beard, gaining scars, or their body changing can really sell the idea that you’re living through months or even years of in-game time. It also adds realism without micromanagement—no need to keep track of eating or sleeping, just the occasional surprise of seeing a graying hairline or a need for a haircut. What are your favorite examples of this mechanic? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Lionhead was an amazing studio.
Yan said:
Lionhead was an amazing studio.
Didn’t they make Black & White? Those games were way ahead of their time.
Yan said:
Lionhead was an amazing studio.
Didn’t they make Black & White? Those games were way ahead of their time.
Black & White was incredible. I have so many fond memories of playing that as a kid.
@Oakley
Ooooh, we’ve got this notion
That we’d quite like to sail the ocean…
Man, those shanties will forever live rent-free in my head!
@Oakley
I loved that game. It’s where I discovered my inner chaos, tossing villagers for fun.
Vic said:
@Oakley
I loved that game. It’s where I discovered my inner chaos, tossing villagers for fun.
Haha, same. Love me or fear me! Toss.
Yan said:
Lionhead was an amazing studio.
The guy behind the AI in Black & White went on to create Google DeepMind. Talk about a legacy!
Ezio in Assassin’s Creed 2 ages over the 23 years of the game. By the end, he’s a grizzled veteran, and you really feel like you’ve been on a long journey with him.
The horns and red mist when you’re evil in Fable were so satisfying. It really made you feel like a menacing badass.
Rockstar nailed this in Red Dead Redemption 2. Arthur’s hair and beard grow over time, and his weight fluctuates depending on how you feed him. Little touches like that made the world feel alive.
Arin said:
Rockstar nailed this in Red Dead Redemption 2. Arthur’s hair and beard grow over time, and his weight fluctuates depending on how you feed him. Little touches like that made the world feel alive.
And don’t forget how his appearance changes during major events. After his injury, his hair and beard growth really drive home the passage of time.
The aging in Fable was great but also kinda flawed. It was tied to leveling, so you could max out your character but end up looking ancient while everyone else in the game stayed the same age. That always felt off to me.
Yeah, aging in Fable was cool, but why didn’t other characters age too? It made no sense that everyone else stayed frozen in time.
I’ve never played Fable. Should I start with the first one or Fable 2?
Pip said:
I’ve never played Fable. Should I start with the first one or Fable 2?
Fable 2 is my favorite, but the first one is a classic too. You can’t go wrong with either.
Fable continues to be one of my favorite games ever. The aging mechanic added so much immersion. I wish more games did this!
In Shadow of the Colossus, your character subtly transforms into a demon. It’s a gradual, almost unnoticeable change, but it adds so much depth to the story. It’s not quite aging, but it’s a similar vibe.
Fable was my childhood! I remember modding the game to make custom tattoos and playing around with the leveling system. Such a gem of a game.