Background Characters

[Chowder McArthor]

I play Natalie Holderman, for those who don't know; earlier today, someone called her a "Background Character." I mean, I guess it's deserved; I don't really have any real backstory for her, she doesn't have any quirks or an accent, she just tries to survive and help others, but other than that, she's pretty flat. Dono why, but having her called a background character still kinda hurt for some reason.

Say if you have a "background character," and what makes them that.

[TehSpoderman]

I have a background character because I am very boring.

[Skimmy2]

Every character is the background character in somebody's story! Except Bill Carson, he's the questionable comic relief character in everyone's story.

[thatguyfromlife]

There's nothing wrong with background characters, every story needs some. If more players accepted being background marines maybe they'd stop being mad when they die. Anyway, I feel I'm somewhere between background and actual character status, since I don't have a real back story or anything.

[Anoonki]

Background Characters > Extras, at a minimum.

You could just be a faceless person wandering around at the edge of people's attention, but not doing anything memorable.
At least Background Characters get to be Characters.

[JennerH]

I'm obviously the protagonist every round
(Sarcasm)

but for real, everyone does something cool at some point, and everyone does something really dull and boring most other times, so don't take it to heart. just because you're not that particular person's CM waifu doesn't mean you don't make someones round everytime they see you!

[Saxis]

"Background Character" is very relative. You are the main character of your own story. Hell, for more than two years I played as a "background character" and I still am. Just because you aren't the center of attention of a round doesn't mean your participation in it was meaningless. In the end, you make your own stories. In fact, I've played several times with you where we have interacted and you have become a "main character" in my own story for the round. Basically, what I'm trying to say is don't get discouraged over this.

[NicoDeimos]

My main character is such a background character I've actually accomplished much more exciting stuff as my side characters. But hey, just gotta keep in mind the abbreviation for Background Character is BC. Being a good support character is like being the more robust players' attachments. Sure they could probably do well without us, but we make it easier for them.

[TheDonkified]

Being a background character or main character is relative. It's all based on whose telling the story.

[Bancrose]

I feel like a main character when I play Heinz as the CO, any other role makes me feel like the minor characters who wear helmets.

[taketheshot56]

I mean when is Patton not EVER the main character?

[Simo94]

o boohoo marines think they are background characters





try xenos

[Chowder McArthor]

o boohoo marines think they are background characters





try xenos

Yeah well you don’t put effort into a Xeno character and just saying that term made me feel silly.

[solidfury7]

Everyone is the protagonist of their own story.

Some are secondary characters of others.

Most are merely background of everyone else.


If you want to have a more fulfilling experience on CM, spend some time making bonds with people in your squad. Talk to them, joke around, go through the shit together. Then you'll find that you're no longer another nameless and faceless marine, but a character with substance and flaws.

[NescauComToddy]

Everyone is the protagonist of their own story.
Some are secondary characters of others.

Most are merely background of everyone else.

Solid basically summed up all that had to be said.

Typically, we all have our moments of glory, fame, robustness and competence, but we are always background characters participating in a great story developed throughout the round by all participants.

From time to time, the round has its "protagonist", so to speak. Sometimes it can be you, sometimes someone that nobody knew the name before.

Now, if you want to get better known on reputation, play with important roles and follow the tips given above by fury.

Anyway, don't let this impact your enjoyment.

[Heckenshutze]

I'm ok being an expendable background character, those tend to be the best in some cases.

[Vispain]

I feel like a background character when I am anything less than a SL although that's probably just a side effect of not really playing anything less than SL in quite a while.

Can't really sum it up better than that

[GibbyPoizon]

This is why it helps to play often and make bonds with your squad, morale is memory, so helping raise it helps you stick in memories.

[Dumblike]

I'm obviously the shitter every round

[JennerH]

No u

[GenericUsername]

I don't even know if people remember my character every round, so I guess I really am a background character

[Diggman88]

This is basically me. I am here to shoot guns and loot the shiny stuff.

[PerfectDeath]

If I play multiple rounds and someone actually approaches me with some familiarity like, "Oh hey man, another day together?" then I've made an impact on their last round.

Do the same if you want to have a more dynamic experience. You can know the people you're bunked up with and you can even make up some history between you based on any experiences or character quirks.

Of course, if your or their character has no quirks and such... well make some. Many players will go along with whatever you make up, outside of the silent ones who most likely are not very good at typing let alone typing english.

Also, some players are REALLY focused at certain points in the game, the initial rush of marines to the RO line will not be a good time to engage in dialogue. Wait for the moments of idleness unless you are REALLY good at typing fast on the fly. It throws some players off when they are trying to prep and often they won't notice or bother giving a good response.

[GoliathTheDespoiler]

In CM the protagonist of the story is entirely based on your perspective of each round.

Everyone is a background character, sidekick, antagonist, secondary antagonist etc. It's all about how you see the round from your perspective.

And I love that that's the case.

[Rio]

Everyone ends up being a background character when the thirsting over Valentina Garilovich starts.