This chapter deals with the roles and jobs your player characters and NPCs can have, including roles and jobs you can have in multiplayer games. Roles are archetypes—ways that characters operate in the world, such as being a villain or a wise person. Jobs are what they do, such as being a blacksmith or an assassin.
Although this content might fit well within Chapter 12, “Character Design,” it is an integral aspect of game design, so I included it here. However, for more options in character design, I recommend checking out Chapter 12. And for a more story-oriented look at character roles, see the specific section “Functional Character Roles” in Chapter 12.
In this chapter:
NPCs are non-player characters, and they populate most games. Even the ghosts in Pac-Man were NPCs, because your enemies in most games are also NPCs. Only in multiplayer games is anyone in the game other than you a player character. In one-on-one fighting games, the stock characters can be NPCs when you play against the machine or player characters when you fight against a human opponent.
Character roles have nothing to do with their skills, training, or professions, but with their relationship to the player’s character and the story as a whole. These are basic roles such as hero, villain, father, mother, and so on. Of course, not all roles are suitable for all types of games, so some of these roles would only appear in RPGs, for instance. Units in strategy games, even vehicle and weapon units, can also be considered NPCs, although they aren’t technically characters.
Note that some roles also could be jobs—such as being a guard, who might be a gatekeeper who bars the way or a law enforcer. However, such examples are included here because they can be seen both ways. For instance, a guard is a specific role in many games, even though it may also be the profession of that NPC. The same holds true for shopkeepers and a few other specific jobs that are also roles.
Listed in alphabetical order:
Accomplice.
Alien (extraterrestrial). (Actually, aliens may play any number of specific roles, but in some contexts, their being an alien is a role in itself.)
Animal—ambient.
Animal enemy.
Animal friend/ally/pet (yours or someone else’s).
Annoying character.
Aunt.
Average Joe.
Bank teller.
Bastard.
Beggar.
Boss.
Brother.
Buddy.
Bum.
Cannon fodder.
Captive.
Casualty/sacrifice.
Celebrity (movie/TV star).
Character consumed by revenge.
Child (son/daughter or other role).
Comic relief.
Cousin.
Cowboy/cowgirl.
Damsel in distress.
Demon.
Drug addict.
Drug dealer.
Explorer.
False role (meaning the character appears to be someone—friend, enemy, etc.—but isn’t what he seems).
Farmer.
Fast-food worker.
Father.
Filler character.
Fireman.
Fool.
Fortune-teller.
Freak.
Friend.
Funny NPC or sidekick.
Gatekeeper (someone who bars the way).
Geek.
Grandfather.
Grandmother.
Greedy character (represents greedy people in general).
Hacker.
Heir (in line for some inheritance or position).
Henchman/henchwoman/minion/grunt.
Hermit.
Hero.
Hit man
Hostage.
Information giver.
In-law relation.
Inventor/wise man/magician/guide/oracle.
Jogger.
Law enforcer.
Mailperson.
Marine.
Military characters (soldiers/cavalry/minor officers/major officers/ultimate leader).
Mischievous kid.
Mother.
Mysterious silent person.
Ninja.
Non-interactive NPC. (Someone just there for atmosphere, but who has no active role in the game. This status can change as the game progresses, so an NPC may start as non-interactive but become interactive as certain plot elements are completed.)
Office worker.
Oracle or someone with information.
Phony.
Pilot.
Pimp.
Pirate.
Player’s party member.
Policeman.
Politician.
Prostitute.
Psycho.
Retail worker.
Romantic interest.
Royalty/privileged class.
Ruler.
Sage.
Savior.
Seductress.
Servant/slave (yours or someone else’s).
Shopkeeper.
Shy guy.
Sidekick.
Sister.
Slacker.
Some who needs protection.
Spirit from the dead.
Standard party roles:
Buff mage
Crowd controller (party member who can control the enemy, such as by putting them to sleep, mezzing them, rooting them, etc.)
Damage mage
Healer
Puller
Ranged attacker (often an archer type)
Scout/thief/infiltrator/spy
Tank
Sacrificial lamb.
Step-relation.
Student.
Sub-boss.
Teacher/trainer/guide.
Terrorist.
Thief.
Townsperson.
Tradesperson (someone who buys/sells/barters).
Tyrant.
Uncle.
Unwitting accomplice.
Usurper/pretender to some position.
Victim.
Village drunk.
Villain.
Wanderer.
Wife/husband.
In the previous section, we looked at the various roles that NPCs can play in a game. In this section, we’ll look at the kinds of jobs NPCs might fill in a game. The key to this is that the job should be something interesting that makes the scene look more real. For instance, in a large office, people at computer terminals and on the phone would be realistic, plus people hanging around the copier or the coffee dispenser. On the street, a window cleaner or construction worker would be interesting, and a homeless person (in this sense, a job) might add some sense of realistic atmosphere. Whenever possible, these jobs should be active jobs where the NPCs can be shown doing something. People in an office might be moving around, delivering papers, discussing plans, working on a white board (which could have real data on it—jokes, clues, mathematical formulae, whatever...).
These jobs could also be their defining role in the game. For instance, the court magician’s job is to work magic, but this is also his role in the game. In a simplistic sense, a party member (ally) or an enemy can have a job/role that is pretty much the same. For instance, a guard is generally just that—a guard. And that is both his role and his job. Also note that the player’s character could have one or more of these jobs.
These jobs can be further categorized by the type of environment you may find yourself creating. For instance, consider the lists in the following subsections.
This list is a partial look at the jobs you might find in a game in various settings. These are general environments because they aren’t very specific. For instance, an army base is a specific environment, and you would expect to see soldiers of various kinds there. But in towns, cities, countryside settings, and the like, here are some of the jobs NPCs might have. In some cases, they aren’t “jobs” in the sense that someone is paying the NPC, but they are jobs in the sense that they have defining activities. For instance, a bicyclist is not necessarily a professional rider (though he could be a bicycle messenger or something), but in the sense that this is his activity, it makes it a job in the game sense. His job is to ride the bicycle through your scene.
Acrobat
Actor
Agent: FBI/CIA/NSA/KGB/Matrix, etc.
Alchemist
Apprentice (or assistant...to any trade skill)
Archer
Armorer
Arrowsmith
Artist
Assassin
Barber
Beggar
Bicyclist
Blacksmith
Boat captain
Boat crew
Bodyguard
Boyers (bow makers)
Brewer
Bus driver
Businessman with briefcase
Champion (knight stand-in during trial by combat)
Chandler
Clockmaker/watchmaker
Clown on unicycle
Conductor
Cooper
Cop
Cordwainer or cobbler (shoemaker or shoe repairer)
Cowherd
Crazy person/raving lunatic
Criminals (various types, footpads, robbers, kidnappers, swindlers, poachers, etc.)
Cutler
Dancer
Detective
Doctor/healer
Dyer
Engineer
Entrepreneur (owner of tavern, shop, brothel, inn, or other business venture)
Farmer
Fireman
Fisherman
Fishmonger/fishwife
Fletcher
Fool
Fortune-teller
Gang member and/or leader
Gardener
Glassblower
Glover (glove maker)
Governor (prefect)
Graffiti artist
Groom (stable hand)
Guard
Gypsy
Herald
Janitor, street sweeper
Jester
Jeweler (including goldsmith)
Juggler
Logger
Magic user (sorcerer, necromancer, elemental magician, etc.)
Maid or chambermaid
Marshall
Master criminal
Mayor
Mercenary
Merchant
Messenger or delivery person
Midwife
Minstrel
Monk
Oracle
Pawnbroker
Penitent
Picketer/protestor
Pilgrim
Pilot
Pirate
Policeman (also constable, sheriff, etc.)
Politician (various types)
Priest/nun
Private investigator/detective
Prostitute
Pushcart vendor
Reporter
Robber
Ruler/leader
Scholar
Scooter
Scribe
Seneschal
Shepherd
Skateboarder
Slave
Sniper
Soothsayer
Spinner
Spy
Squire
Stable master
Steward
Storyteller
Street performer (mime, musician, dancer, juggler, etc.)
Street person (miscellaneous)
Streetwalker
Swineherd
Tailor
Talking head/news anchor
Tax collector
Taxi driver
Teacher
Thief
Tinker
Traveler
Traveling merchant
Vintner
Weaver
Wet nurse
Window washer
People of royalty often make an appearance in games, so here’s a short list of the various noble ranks. Of course, they would be surrounded by servants, advisors, and other non-royals, but this list is reserved for those of noble blood.
King
Queen
Prince
Princess
Duke
Grand Duke
Duchess
Grand Duchess
Earl
Marquis
Marquise
Count
Countess
Viscount
Baron
Baroness
Baronet
Baronetess
Knight
Dame
Lord
Lady
The clergy has its specific positions, and here’s a partial list.
Pope
Cardinal
Archbishop
Bishop
Abbott
Abbess
Prelate
Monk
Nun
Priest
Deacon
Rabbi
Muezzin
Shaman
Saint
Friar
Choirboy
Altar boy
Organist (musician)
Pastor
Assistant pastor
Nursery worker
Doorman/greeter
Sunday School teacher
Usher
Van driver
There’s no way we could fit all the various military ranks into this book and have room for much more, but here are a few general ideas. If you are doing a military game, you will want to do more research on the specific period and military division you are depicting.
(See also the “Military Ranks and Divisions” section later in this chapter.)
Soldier (any rank)
Pilot
Navigator
Bombardier
Gunner
Sniper
Driver (tanks and other vehicles)
Boat captain
Boat crew
Cook
Master sergeant
Officer (captain, lieutenant, colonel, general, admiral, etc.)
Demolitions expert
What do we find in shops and stores? Here are a few examples to get you started.
Cashier and salesperson
Store detective
Other shoppers, particularly strongly characterized ones
Shoplifter
Busybody
Guy on the prowl
Children running amok
Grunt laborer (stock boy, janitor, mail clerk, etc.)
Fix-it guy (repairing something)
The boss or owner (or manager)
Customer
Sometimes games are set on ships, and people on ships have very specific jobs.
(See also the “Military Ranks and Divisions” section later in this chapter.)
Captain
Navigator
Crewmember (various)
Passenger (various)
Stowaway
Medic
Engineer
Entertainer (possibly)
Mess crew
Various gunners and weapons experts, if appropriate
Pirate
The quintessential parrot
Spaceships are a type of ship, but generally futuristic. We’ve grown accustomed to some of the jobs we would expect to see on spaceships thanks to movies and TV. Here are a few ideas.
(See also the “Military Ranks and Divisions” section later in this chapter.)
Captain
Navigator
Crewmember (various)
Passenger
Alien
Medic
Engineer
Science officer
Guard
EV (extra-vehicular) worker
Stowaway
Small villages seem to crop up often in games, especially in Role-Playing and adventure games. Who might you encounter in these small towns and villages?
Mayor
Stable master
Blacksmith
Farmer
Store owner
Important businessman (local boss)
Prostitute
Village idiot
Priest/clergy/nun (appropriate to setting)
Old wise man
Witch
Child at play
Loiterer
Thief
Cultist
Scientist/inventor
Laboratories are always fun, but who do we find there?
Scientist
Administrator
Secretary
Janitor
Experimental subject
VIP visitor
Sentient experimental subject
Lab animal
Student or understudy
If you were putting together a game with a sports setting, who would you want to include in that game? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Athlete
Owner
Manager
Fan
Umpire
Reporter/commentator
Ticket taker
Janitor
Equipment handler
Concession worker
Accountant
Sports therapist
Medical personnel
Water boy
Fan
Field care specialist
Far from civilization, we still find people with specific jobs, such as:
Logger
Hunter
Trapper
Farmer
Artisan
Crazy recluse
Witch, warlock, druid, etc.
Explorer
Native person
Someone who is lost
Firefighter
Activist
Herbalist/wild crafter
Cultist
Hiker or recreationalist
Kayaker or rafter
Mushroom hunter
It’s a fact of modern life that malls have their own denizens—both those who work there and those whose “job” it is to shop and hang out.
Shopkeeper (various kinds)
Guard
Teenager
Shopper
Janitor
Office person
Strange person
Lost person
Person carrying bags and such
Pickpocket
Loiterer
Gangsta
Child or baby
Window shopper
Traditionally, castles housed a wide assortment of people with a very wide assortment of jobs. They were like mini-cities, and this list will get you started thinking about who would be in your castle.
See also “Castle Architecture and People” in Chapter 33, “Historical and Cultural Weapons.”
Nightlife also requires people in various jobs. Who else might you find in bars and pool halls?
Bartender
Bouncer
Dancer (professional or patron)
Bar girl
Waiter/waitress
Drunk
Ordinary patron
Hooker
Card player
Card shark
Pool hustler
Girlfriend hanging around
Musician or other entertainer, according to setting
Patron (various kinds, depending on setting)
Restaurants have specialized workers. Here are a few. Can you think of more?
Cook/chef (various kinds, depending on setting)
Waiter/waitress
Patron (depending on setting)
Busboy
Host/hostess
Dishwasher
Sommelier
Bartender (depending on whether there is a bar)
Cocktail waitress/waiter
Manager
Cashier
If you were going to make a bank scene, who would be working there?
Guard
Teller
Loan officers
Manager
Clerks
Computer technician
Customer
Bank robber
Armored car driver
Undercover security
If you create a game that uses office settings, who would you find there?
Typist
Receptionist
Secretary
Manager
Mail person
Janitor
Upper manager
Bosses (president, VPs, CEO, CFO, COO, etc.)
IT administrator
Intern
Client or visitor
Security
Gofer
Specialty worker (depends on type of office)
Another specialized setting, movies employ a wide variety of people. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Actor or actress
Extra
Boom operator
Director
Assistant director
Camera operator
Director of photography
Set construction
Stunt person
Special effects person
Makeup
Hair
Costume
Continuity
Lighting
Grip or other support worker
Some villains have no visible means of support or seem to be independently wealthy, but it’s interesting to think about the jobs that best fit the bad guys. They are usually jobs that involve the acquisition of a lot of money, the wielding of power, or both.
Note that the player’s character could have any of these jobs, too, if the player is an anti-hero or the story calls for a player in a sketchy profession.
Pharmaceuticals (legal or illegal)
Drug dealer
Arms manufacture and/or distribution
Money laundering
Evil banker
Evil stockbroker
Politician
Emperor/king/dictator (or other totalitarian leader)
Advisor to the leader
Smuggler
Spy/mole
Barbarian
Alien
Brain in a bottle
Evil magician/sorcerer
Serial killer (can seem to be quite an ordinary character)
Spawn of Satan
Mastermind who works at a video store, fast-food chain, convenience store, etc.
Evil janitor
Bartender
Mad scientist
Bad cop
Mayor
Evil toymaker
Clown
TV repairman
Fast-food server
Evil animator
Evil professor
Pimp/madam/prostitute/escort
Exterminator
Zookeeper
Balloon salesman
Army general/Navy admiral, etc.
High school principal
Mortician
Evil schoolgirl
Corporate executive
Hacker
In some games, particularly RPGs and MMOGs, players can pick specific jobs or skills and actually practice them in the game. For instance, in some games a player could be a weapon maker and specialize in making weapons as a part of the gameplay. Other player characters might be traders, buying low and selling high, or even cooks, alchemists, and engineers. Here’s a list of some of the trade skills you might be able to provide to players.
Armorer (possibly specialized)
Weapon crafter (possibly specialized)
Engineer
Scientist
Cook
Alchemist
Enchanter
Trader/shopkeeper
Tailor
Hunter/tracker/explorer/scout
Miner
Herbalist
Builder
Private detective
Spy
Police officer
Politician
Dog catcher
Sniper
Assassin
Pilot for hire
Bounty hunter
Farmer
Animal wrangler/tamer
Carnival or circus worker or act
Prostitute/pimp/gigolo
Drug dealer
Dancer
Musician
Doctor/healer
Clown
Preacher
Mayor (or other politician)
Taxi driver
Boat captain
Filmmaker
Photographer
Reporter
Military job (any)
Ruler of any nation
Chairman of the board (or other company official)
Speculator
Thief
Stock trader
Delivery boy
God (it’s a job)
Caretaker
Vet
Pet sitter
Dog walker
Priest
Nun/monk
Repairman
Although these aren’t technically roles or jobs, the species of a character can have a considerable effect on how we see it and on what atmosphere it creates in the game. For instance, an avian banker would be somewhat more interesting than the standard human model.
Human
Humanoid
Insectoid
Reptilian
Aquatic
Amphibious
Avian
Vampiric
Demonic
Fungal
Gaseous
Viral
Amorphous
Prehistoric
Futuristic
Robotic
Ape
Rock/siliconoid
Arborial
Nature Spirits
Earth
Air
Water
Fire
Spirit (ether, etc.)
Evil
Good
Spirit of ambiguity
Spirit of justice
Generic human
Caucasian
Black
Latin
Asian
Chinese
Japanese
Korean
Thai
Malaysian
Singaporean
Tibetan/Nepalese
Jewish
WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant)
Scandinavian
Irish
Scottish
French
German
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
South American (various)
Brazilian
Mexican
Australian
New Zealander
Filipino
African
North African
Gypsy
Inuit
Native American
Indian
Middle Eastern
Arabic
European (generally)
Mongolian
Polynesian
Basque
Aborigine
Pygmy
Zulu
Masai
Nomad
Faerie
Elvish
Dwarvish
Orcish
Goblin
Troll
Giant/titan
Hobbit
Gnomish
Centaur
Entish (tree creature)
God or demi-god
Mer-person (mermaid/merman)
Monster type (varies)
Sentient plant creature
Insectoid
Avian
Reptilian
Sentient mineral creature
Discorporate entity
Shape-shifter
Alien (other planetary—varies)
In multiplayer games, the players themselves often fill roles and perform jobs that NPCs perform in single-player games, in addition to roles and jobs that may or may not be filled by NPCs. Basically, players can fulfill any of the job functions listed in the “Participatory Player Jobs” section of this chapter. However, they may fill specific roles within multiplayer games, sometimes the same and sometimes different from typical NPC roles.
Player killer
Ally
Betrayer
Guildmate
Ad hoc teammate
Buyer/seller
Scout
Tank
Buff mage
Damage mage
Range attacker
Crowd controller
Healer
Spy
Thief/burglar/stealther
Mentor/advisor
Helper and benefactor
Enemy
Rival
Romantic interest
Friend
Leader
Follower
Manager
Virtual family role
Observer/spectator
Earlier in this chapter, we listed some military jobs. Here’s a listing of military ranks and divisions. This list can be useful not only when creating a strictly accurate military game, but even in fantasy games where you want to create a believable military organization.
General of the Army (5-star)
Marshal (Europe)
General (4-star)
Lieutenant General (3-star)
Major General (2-star)
Brigadier General (1-star)
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Chief Warrant Officer (W-4)
Chief Warrant Officer (W-3)
Chief Warrant Officer (W-2)
Warrant Officer (W-1)
Sergeant Major
First Sergeant
Chief Master Sergeant
Master Sergeant
Sergeant First Class
Specialist 1–7
Gunnery Sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal
Lance Corporal
Private First Class (PFC)
Airman First Class
Private
Airman
Recruit
Cadet
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Lieutenant Junior Grade
Ensign
Chief Warrant Officer (W-4)
Chief Warrant Officer (W-3)
Chief Warrant Officer (W-2)
Master Chief Petty Officer
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
Petty Officer 1st Class
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Seaman
Seaman Apprentice
Seaman Recruit
Midshipman
Field Army (2–5 corps)
Corps (2–5 divisions)
Division (3 brigades: 10,000–18,000 soldiers)
Brigade (3 or more battalions: 3,000–5,000 soldiers)
Battalion (3–5 companies: 500–900 soldiers)
Company (3–4 platoons 100–200 soldiers)
Platoons (3–4 squads: 16–40 soldiers)
Squad (4–10 soldiers)
Here are some of the other unit types, besides the main ones mentioned a moment ago.
Armored cavalry squadrons (ACS)
Armored cavalry troops
A tank company
A self-propelled artillery battery
Aviation squadron
Air cavalry/reconnaissance troops
Attack helicopter troops
An assault helicopter troop
Support squadron
Combat support companies and batteries
Armored cavalry squadrons
An aviation squadron (minus attack helicopter troops)
A support squadron
Separate combat support companies and batteries
A brigade headquarters and headquarters company for command and control
Limited combat support assets to include military police, chemical and air defense elements
Armored and mechanized infantry battalions
An armored cavalry troop
An engineer battalion
A military intelligence company
A support battalion of several support units and direct link to corps support
A field artillery battalion
Attack regiment with three AH-64 helicopter attack battalions
An aviation group
Assault battalion
Command aviation battalion
Combat support aviation battalion
Medium helicopter battalion
Light utility helicopter battalion
Air traffic services battalion
Main roles:
Air assault
Air movement
Target acquisition
Reconnaissance and security
Air traffic services
Enhanced command control
Communications
Forward arming and refueling point operations
Command and staff support
Limited casualty evacuation
Command search and rescue
Downed aircraft recovery
Rear area reconnaissance and surveillance
Aerial mine delivery
Field artillery cannon battalions
Guided missile brigades
Multiple-rocket battalions
Target acquisition units with artillery-locating radars
Main roles:
Add depth to battle
Support rear operations
Influence battle at critical times
Operations battalions
Tactical exploitation battalions
Aerial exploitation battalions
Main roles:
Support of troops through acquisition and analysis of data:
Communications interception
Enemy prisoner interrogation
Imagery exploitation
Weather forecasts
Links with theater and national sensors
Assist G3 with electronic warfare, operations security, and deception planning
Protects forces from aerial attack
Protects against missile attack
Provides surveillance at all altitudes
Combat engineer battalions
Engineer battalions (combat heavy)
Separate engineer companies (combat support equipment, assault float bridge, topographic, tactical bridge companies)
Provides support for:
Mobility
Counter-mobility
Survivability
Topographic engineering
General engineering
Provides voice and data communications within and between corps command and control facilities, and in some situations provides links with host nations, the UN, allied forces, and government and non-government agencies.
Commands, controls, and coordinates combat support operations of attached chemical units.
Provides command and administrative and logistic support to attached chemical battalions.
Brigade commander recommends nuclear, biological, and chemical mission priorities to the corps commander.
Provides smoke generator; nuclear, biological, and chemical reconnaissance; and nuclear, biological, and chemical decontamination support (other than patient decontamination).
Roles:
Battlefield circulation control
Area security
Enemy prisoner of war and civilian internee operations
Law-and-order support to the corps
Including reconnaissance and surveillance for supply routes and other key areas in the corps rear
Can act as a response and tactical combat force to augment base and mission requirements
Maintains liaison with host nation civil and military police and may provide civil-military operations support
Primary operations:
Foreign Internal Defense (FID) and coalition warfare/support (working with developing nations by working with host country military and police forces to improve their technical skills and understanding of human rights issues and to help with humanitarian and civic action projects).
Unconventional warfare
Special reconnaissance
Direct action
Counterterrorism
Special qualities and training:
Maturity
Military skills
Language skills
Cultural awareness
Operations and intelligence
Communications
Medical aid
Engineering
Weapons
Operations, training, and teaching
Special operations and light infantry operations. Focus on deep penetration raids or interdiction operations against targets of strategic or operational significance. Generally requires intact seizure of a facility and/or limited collateral damage, including:
Command, control, communications, and intelligence centers at front and army level
Nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons storage sites and delivery means
Key logistic centers
Air defense and air traffic control integrating centers and air defense weapon sites
Radio and television stations, microwave terminals, satellite receiving stations, telephone lines and exchanges
Key power generation and distribution facilities, lines, transformers, and grid monitoring centers
Airfield and critical transportation nodes
Key choke points (such as bridges, tunnels, locks, dams, and mountain passes or routes in restrictive terrain) on vital locations
Rescue and evacuation missions
Tactical reconnaissance
A specific division of the military dealing with psychological health of soldiers as well as psychological warfare.
Composed of various experts, such as lawyers, engineers, doctors, police, firemen, computer experts, farmers, and bankers, among others. Civil Affairs works with civil authorities and populations to mitigate the impact of military operations at different times during, before, or after conflict.
Principal logistics organization providing supply, field services, transportation (mode operations and movement control), maintenance, and combat health support to divisions and non-division corps units. Functional control centers:
Material management center
Movement control center
Medical brigade
Transportation group (if three or more functional transportation battalions are assigned)
Corps support groups
Controls all corps medical units not organic to divisions, separate maneuver brigades, and cavalry regiments, as well as:
Controls and provides staff supervision for medical groups, a medical logistic battalion, dental, combat stress control, preventative medicine, and veterinary units.
Tasks organizations to meet medical workload demands.
Advises senior commander on medical aspects of combat operations and operations other than war.
Provides for medical regulation of patient movement between medical treatment facilities within the corps and coordination for patient movement out of the corps.
Provides consultative services and technical advice in preventative medicine (environmental health, medical entomology, radiological health, and sanitary engineering), nursing, dental, veterinary medicine, and psychiatry.
Provides control and supervision of Class VII supply and resupply movement.
Performs the following tasks:
Database management of personnel accounting and strength reporting
Casualty operations management
Personnel information management
Identification documents
Personnel evaluations
Promotions and reductions
Officer procurement
Soldier actions
Commander, finance support unit, finance group, or theater finance command
Accountants (officer-level and enlisted)
Bookkeepers (officer-level and enlisted)
Managers/officers
File clerks
Disbursing officer
Watercraft or vehicle project/product manager
Installation transportation officer
Movement control agency/center unit commander
Passenger/freight/personal property movements officer
Director of inland traffic Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC)
Director of personal property
Traffic engineer
Watercraft unit commander/officer
Terminal service/transfer unit commander/officer
Director of international traffic
Terminal operations/documentation officer
Terminal or port commander
Marine maintenance officer
Rail transport plans officer
Rail transport staff officer
Rail equipment maintenance officer
Motor transport staff officer
Driver
Mechanic
Route manager
Shop manager
Parts clerk
Logistical specialist
Petroleum supply specialist
Food service specialist
Mortuary affairs specialist
Parachute rigger
Shower/laundry and clothing repair specialist
Water treatment specialist
Unit supply specialist
Property accounting technician
Supply systems technician
Airdrop systems technician
Food service technician
Petroleum technician
Quartermaster, general
Aerial delivery and material
Petroleum and water
Capabilities include:
Identifying and rendering safe foreign and U.S. military munitions (chemical, conventional, and nuclear)
Disposing of munitions encountered and rendering safe terrorist-improvised explosive devices (IED) (such as pipe bombs, booby traps, etc.)
Responding to WMD incidents
Conducting training in military munitions and IED to LEAs
Providing support to the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and DOS
Psyop’s mission is to cause dissention among the enemy’s ranks while at the same time convincing the local population to support friendly forces. In addition, the unit provides continuous analysis of attitudes and the behavior of enemy forces to field commanders.
Design Challenge
Examine several games, paying particular attention to roles, professions, and racial traits.
Do any of these games allow for a player profession or trade skill?
How does the choice of professions affect your enjoyment of a game?
Can you think of more imaginative ways to use NPC roles and jobs?
Imagine you are creating an NPC.
Pick an environment.
Pick from various racial options.
Pick a role.
Pick a job.
For the player character:
Pick from racial options.
Pick a role.
Pick a job.
Pick a story/story world.