Decoding the Enigma: Who is the Main Character in Call of Duty: Black Ops III?
The answer, at first glance, seems deceptively simple: the Player. Yes, you, the person holding the controller, are the main protagonist of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. However, unlike many games where you step into the shoes of a pre-defined character with a set backstory and personality, Black Ops III takes a more personalized approach. You have significant control over your in-game avatar, making the “Player” a unique and highly customizable entity. The Player’s name is never revealed.
Unveiling the Customizable Protagonist
Black Ops III distinguishes itself by offering a level of protagonist customization rarely seen in the Call of Duty franchise. This isn’t just about selecting a pre-made face; it’s about crafting a digital representation of yourself (or your ideal soldier) within the game’s futuristic world.
Gender Choice: Breaking the Mold
One of the most significant aspects of this customization is the ability to choose the gender of your Player. This might seem like a minor detail, but it opens up the game to a broader audience and allows for a more personal connection to the narrative. Regardless of the gender you choose, the storyline remains consistent, ensuring a unified experience while acknowledging player preference.
Physical Appearance: Crafting Your Soldier
Beyond gender, you also have control over your Player’s facial features, outfit, and helmet. This allows for a degree of visual distinction that further enhances the feeling of ownership over your character. As you progress through the campaign, you unlock additional customization options, allowing you to refine your Player’s appearance and showcase your accomplishments.
The Silent Protagonist: A Blank Slate
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Player is the lack of a designated name or extensive backstory. You are referred to simply as “Player” throughout the game. This intentional omission serves a dual purpose: it reinforces the idea that you are the character and allows you to project your own personality and motivations onto the in-game avatar. The Player is effectively a blank slate, molded by your choices and actions within the game’s narrative.
Contextualizing the Player within the Black Ops III Narrative
While the Player is the central figure, they are not alone. The story of Black Ops III revolves around a squad of black ops soldiers operating in a world grappling with technological advancements and their consequences. The Player’s team members include characters like Jacob Hendricks and Danny “Blackjack” Li. You will forge relationships and make critical decisions that shape the fate of the team and the world.
The Player’s journey involves navigating a complex web of conspiracies, moral ambiguities, and technological nightmares. The lack of a pre-defined identity allows you to approach these challenges from your own perspective, making the narrative feel all the more impactful.
Thematic Significance of the Customizable Player
The decision to make the Player a customizable, silent protagonist is not merely a cosmetic choice. It reflects the game’s overarching themes of identity, control, and the blurring lines between humanity and technology. In a world where cybernetics and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly prevalent, the Player’s ability to shape their own identity becomes a powerful statement.
By allowing players to customize their protagonist, Black Ops III encourages them to question what it means to be human in an age of technological disruption. Are we defined by our physical bodies, our memories, or our actions? The game doesn’t provide easy answers, but it invites players to explore these questions through their own experiences. The Games Learning Society explores these questions, too, within other areas of gaming. GamesLearningSociety.org delves into how games teach, motivate, and engage players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Player in Black Ops III the same character from previous Black Ops games?
No, the Player in Black Ops III is a new character, distinct from Alex Mason or other protagonists from earlier Black Ops titles.
2. Can I change the Player’s appearance after starting the campaign?
Yes, you can modify the Player’s appearance, including gender, face, outfit, and helmet, at any time via the wardrobe in the Safe House.
3. Does the Player’s gender affect the storyline?
No, the storyline remains consistent regardless of the Player’s gender. The dialogue and narrative are adapted to fit the chosen gender, but the core events remain the same.
4. Is there any voice acting for the Player?
No, the Player is a silent protagonist and does not have any spoken lines. This allows players to project their own thoughts and feelings onto the character.
5. What kind of customization options are available for the Player’s outfit?
You can unlock various outfits and helmets by completing missions and challenges within the campaign. These options range from standard military gear to more specialized and futuristic designs.
6. Is the Player a cyborg or augmented in any way?
Yes, the Player undergoes extensive cybernetic augmentation early in the campaign, granting them enhanced abilities and connecting them to the Direct Neural Interface (DNI).
7. Does the Player’s relationship with other characters change based on gender?
While the core relationships remain consistent, some dialogue and interactions might subtly differ depending on the Player’s chosen gender.
8. Can I create multiple Player profiles?
No, you cannot create multiple Player profiles within the same playthrough. However, you can change the Player’s appearance at any time.
9. Does the Player have a specific combat specialty?
No, the Player’s combat skills and abilities are largely determined by the cybernetic augmentations and weapons they acquire throughout the campaign. You can customize your loadout to suit your preferred playstyle.
10. Is the Player considered a “good” or “bad” guy?
The Player’s morality is often ambiguous, and their actions can be interpreted in different ways depending on your perspective. The game explores the ethical dilemmas faced by soldiers operating in a morally grey world.
11. What is the significance of the Direct Neural Interface (DNI) in relation to the Player?
The DNI is a crucial aspect of the Player’s character, as it allows them to interface directly with technology and other individuals. It also opens them up to potential manipulation and control.
12. Does the Player’s performance in combat affect the storyline?
While the overall storyline remains consistent, your performance in combat can influence the difficulty of certain encounters and the availability of certain resources.
13. Are there any secret endings related to the Player’s choices?
Yes, the ending of Black Ops III can vary slightly depending on the Player’s choices and actions throughout the campaign.
14. Can I play as the Player in multiplayer or zombies mode?
While you can customize your multiplayer avatar, it is a separate entity from the Player character in the campaign. Zombies mode features distinct characters with their own backstories and abilities.
15. Is Andy McDermott who’s on the box art the character you play as?
While Andy McDermott’s likeness was used for marketing, the customizable “Player” is who you embody in the single-player campaign. He is not a specific pre-made character but rather a customizable agent.