Hi everyone, Ceri here - your friendly COO, Creative Strategist, and part-time animal-whisperer for the Hangryverse.
In this month’s guest spot, I wanted to share one of the quieter, but surprisingly powerful, tools we used to shape our characters and storylines: personality profiling.
Now, I’ve run profiling workshops for real people (teams, students, clients) more times than I can count. But doing it for fictional, animal-human hybrid characters? That was a first. And it turns out… it works. Really, really well.
Andy had already built out strong foundations for our core cast - Otis (hippo), Zebrina (zebra), Marv (moose), Susanna (gorilla), Bryland (bear). Each had a backstory, traits, and a narrative role. But we wanted more than surface quirks. We needed to know:
Who are they, really?
What drives them?
How do they behave under pressure - or when no one’s looking?
How do they interact with each other, their environment and in any given situation?
And most importantly, how could their personalities connect with players on an emotional level?
So I got to work, blending Belbin team types, Myers-Briggs indicators, and a bit of gut instinct. From there, we dug deep into five areas: Personality, Motivations, Hobbies & Influences, Abilities, and Challenges.
What we ended up with is more than just a cast of heroes. It’s a working ecosystem of personalities that clash, cooperate, and grow.
Take Otis and Zebrina. Otis is your impulsive, emotional, big-hearted team player. He’s always the first to act - even if he hasn’t thought it through. Zebrina, on the other hand, is the strategist: cool-headed, fast-thinking, no-nonsense. Naturally, they butt heads.
Imagine them mid-mission! Otis is already halfway out the door yelling, “We haven’t got time for a plan, let’s GO!” Meanwhile, Zebrina rolls her eyes, pulls up the route map, and states “We’ve got five minutes. We’ll waste more time fixing the mess you’re about to make. Sit down”. On the plus side, their rivalry keeps them sharp. Whether it’s sparring drills or split-second race challenges, they’re constantly trying to outmatch each other - physically, tactically, instinctively. It’s less about winning and more about elevating. One pushes, the other adapts. And somehow, they both get better.
Then there’s Marv, the laid-back, ever-curious moose with an answer for everything, and Susanna, our youngest but fiercest protector, that’s all heart. On paper, they shouldn’t work: he speaks in cosmic riddles and detours into tangents, while she prefers things clear and grounded. But somehow, they just get each other.
When Sue’s emotions spiral or she feels like she’s messed something up, Marv knows exactly how to shift the mood - sometimes with a reminder he’s there for her, other times it’s a joke about antler waxing or “moose yoga” until she’s smiling again.
And when he’s off chasing some metaphysical theory about the universe, she’s the one who brings him back down to earth - with a laugh, an eye roll or a gaze of admiration while she listens to his stories.
He gives her room to be messy, emotional, real - without judgment. She gives him a reason to focus, to show up, to care about the moment in front of him. Their friendship isn’t flashy. It’s steady, funny, and full of quiet understanding.
And then there’s Bryland - the dependable, big-hearted bear who carries the quiet strength of someone raised to look after others. He’s the kind of character who brings people together without needing to be at the centre. Guided by strong values and a deep belief in empathy, he’s the team’s natural peacemaker and moral compass.
While others jump into action or overanalyse a situation, Bryland slows things down. He’s practical, intuitive, and emotionally tuned in. When Susanna’s anxious or Otis is spiralling, Bryland’s the one who gently anchors them. When decisions need to be made, he listens first, speaks last - and usually, that’s when things click.
Outside of missions, he’s the one organising shared meals, teaching others how to grill the perfect steak, or explaining animal behaviour like it’s second nature (because to him, it is). He’s all about harmony - between people, between species, between the planet and its future. And the team is better for it.
These relationships add layers. They shape not just gameplay dynamics but how dialogue lands, how conflict escalates, and how trust builds across the team.
Profiling has quietly become the foundation for a huge chunk of our creative work:
Game design: We can map personality to play style or ability.
Dialogue: We know how each character speaks, jokes, or argues.
Content: Social media posts “from the characters” feel consistent and relevant.
Story arcs: Character flaws and values help us build tension and emotional payoff. It also gives us directions for how they will grow.
But it’s more than that - it gives every player a character they can see themselves in. That’s where the magic happens.
Start with archetypes, not stereotypes. Use tools like Belbin or MBTI to spark ideas - but evolve beyond the box.
Map strengths and flaws. Perfection is boring. Tension lives in contradiction.
Focus on behaviour. Ask: “What would they do in this moment?” not just “Who are they?”
Build relationships, not just individuals. Character dynamics are often more revealing than solo profiles.
Give them something that grounds them. A chill mode, a comfort object, a coping mechanism.
Write like they’re watching. If they read their profile - would they agree? Be offended? Laugh?
Talk to them. Seriously. If they start replying in your head, you’re on the right track.
Want me to unpack more of our creative processes in future articles?
Pop your questions and suggestions in the #Ideas-Vault on Discord or drop us a message on LinkedIn.
Until next time - stay Hangry.
Ceri
PS which character resonates with you the most?
