Title: The discussion of sabah culture that influence in character design

Author(s): Vun Wan Min

Affiliation: Dr. Noorhayati Saad

Email address (to coincide with author's name): vunwanmin@sd.taylors.edu.my

Abstract (200 words): This article is to look into the elements of character design in games as well as to identify the characteristics of Sabah (Kadazan) culture, which could be implemented to a character. The methodology used in the research is a mixed method, which is quantitative and qualitative methods that consists of questionnaires by an online survey made with Google Forms and visual analysis to observe the elements of Sabah (Kadazan) culture by watching a short documentary. The dissertation is focused on the findings of the research, which is the characteristics of Sabah (Kadazan) culture that is based on the Harvest Festival, also known as Pesta Kaamatan and the element of character design. The element that stands out the most is the clothing in character design and the characteristics of Kadazan clothing are mostly balck with traditional patterns. The purpose of the research is to promote the Kadazan culture and to serve as a guideline to other researchers in the same pursuit.

Key words: Sabah culture, characteristic, Kadazan, character design

Figure 1. TheSabah (Kadazan) Ethnic in Character Design 

Introduction (200 words): This article is to research on the characteristics of  Kadazan culture and the elements of  character design. The study is about the lack of a certain cultural identity in character design in the entertainment industry. The purpose of this study is to determine the cultural aspect of a certain culture that is often left out in the development of character characteristics to be a part of design.

Character design  is one of the unique things in a game, animation and story. It is important for the narrative, the character's physical appearances and the character’s personality. The topic of culture is on the Kadazan ethnic.

Kadazan is an indigenous ethnic group in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. They have a festival called Pesta Kaamatan or the Harvest Festival. The festival is to celebrate a good harvest for the coming year. The folklore of the festival is about Huminodun, who is selfless and sacrifices herself for her people. A beauty pageant, also known as Unduk Ngadau is held to honour Huminodun.

In a general overview, the research aims to identify the elements of game character design and to create a character based on the characteristics of Kadazan culture.

Figure 2. Sumazau

Problem Statement (200–300 words): Sino means a combination from the Chinese people and people who are born between a Chinese and Malay are called by that race. Additionally, people who are born from a Chinese and the indigenous people of Southeast Asia are Bumiputra. There are various indigenous groups such as Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, Murut and so on.

A person, an animal, or a figure can be defined as a character that represents  elements to serve a purpose in a story. (Eric, 2018).

Character with story background and race can help identify the cultural reference as culture and race have different characteristics and personality. (Liang, 2017) Therefore without culture, storytelling would not be interesting and there would not be character development. A character development is the growth of the character throughout the progression of the story. (Sheldon, 2004)

Upin and Ipin, the animation portrays the close relationship of different ethnic groups, such as, Malays, Chinese and Indians. (Dahlan Bin Abdul Ghani, 2015) Unfortunately, they did not portray the cultures of north Borneo, which indicates that the lack of East Malaysia culture. According to Countries and the Cultures, Sarawak and Sabah tend to be less influence part of Malaysia but are surrounded by rich culture. (Williamson, 2019)

Having a wider knowledge of the Malaysia can make a story and character design even interesting as it’s cultures differ from the West Malaysia. This research enlights the Kadazan ethnics in character design to let people know that Sabah ethnics can also be part of the storytelling community as it has their own folklore.

Figure 3 Huminodun

Methodology (300–500 words): This research is to identify the elements of character design in games as well as to study the characteristics of Sabah culture that can be implemented in a character. The research is conducted through mixed method which is quantitative method and qualitative method. Two different instruments were used in the research, which were questionnaires and visual analysis. A questionnaire was conducted to identify elements in character design, the overview responses will be discussed and analyzed. Another instrument is visual analysis, it was conducted to study the characteristics of Sabah culture that can be implemented in a character. The research was to analyze a short documentary of a culture and identify the characteristics of it.

The quantitative method, which was a questionnaire was used in this research as mention to identify the elements of character design. The questionnaire was conducted due to the flexibility of gaining information from the respondents which in this case were gamers and people who have similar interest in games. Aside from that, it was quick and easy to collect data online from a large audience (10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Questionnaires - Survey Anyplace, 2019). It was deemed appropriate for the research as it is to understand the overall general view of the elements in game character design. The questions were constructed before hand and were revised. It was conducted on Google Forms due to its functionality of compilation of data collected and it was easy to use and understand the interface. The targeted audience was gamers and people who have similar interest in games. It was distributed online in a gaming forum group with granted permission and other social media. The purpose of the questionnaire was to understand the view of the respondents.

The qualitative method used was visual analysis as one of the instruments to analyze the data through observation. It is to study the characteristics of Sabah culture that can be implemented in a character through the analysis of the characteristics of the culture, which is the Kadazan ethnic. It was deemed appropriate for the research as it is to observe the characteristics of the Sabah (Kadazan) culture through observation. A short documentary was analyzed to observe the elements of Kadazan culture. The documentary is focused on the Harvest Festival and the folklore as it summarized the legend of Huminodun as well as explaining the culture and tradition.

Findings and Discussion (500 words): The findings of the quantitative method, which is the questionnaire is focused on the elements in character design and the qualitative method is focused on the visual analysis, which is the short documentary about the Kadazan culture and it’s folklore.

Figure 1.1. What is the first thing that can be noticed about a game character?

The purpose of the question was to find out the factors which gamers and people who like to play games would notice first on a game character. As shown in the figure, the clothing would be the first thing that can be noticed on a game character with over 50%. The second would be the facial feature with 26.8% and the least would be the body proportion of the game character with 14.3%.

Figure 1.2. What is the most interesting element in a game character?

Next, the purpose of this question is to understand the view of the respondents on the elements in game character that makes it interesting and grab their attention. In this question, the respondents could choose more than one as all of the elements would be a part of character design. There were 70 (70.7%) responses on the personality of a game character and the appearance with 67 (67.7%) responses following with 53 (53.5%) on the storyline of the character. As such, the most interesting element in a game character would be the character’s personality following the appearance and lastly the storyline.

Figure 2.1. Huminodun: A Woman’s Legacy

Next is the findings of the qualitative method, which is the visual analysis. The short documentary is about the folklore of the Harvest Festival and it’s culture and tradition. The folklore about Huminodun, who sacrificed herself for her people and the Harvest festival is to celebrate a good harvest for the coming year. However, it is no longer celebrated like the traditions and customs, but rather it is honouring the customs and traditions of the ancestors. It has now become a symbolic time to reunite with family and loved ones. There is a beauty pageant that is held every year at the festival and the purpose of it is to honour Huminodun. The winner of the beauty pageant would be the one who resembles and represents the personality of Huminodun as a role model to the younger generation.

Figure 2.2. Pesta Kaamatan

In discussing on the appearance of a character, it is important because it is how the viewers will see the character as it is and the impression it gives. As observed in the findings of the Kadazandusun, the appearance of their traditional clothing stands out as it is mainly of black clothing with unique handmade embroidery and gold laces. It is worn on special occasions such as the Harvest Festival and other special occasions.

Figure 2.3. Linangkit

The handmade embroidery is called “Linangkit” that is woven by native women of Sabah using a thin thread and needle. There are different colours and patterns of Linangkit as to represent the local tribes. Each has its own representation of their heritages, knowledge and traditions.

Conclusion (200–500 words): In conclusion to the research, the purpose of the research was to study the elements of a game character and to identify the characteristics of Sabah culture that can create a character from the folklore of the Harvest Festival. In this case, I have chosen the Harvest Festival Folklore to explore and identify the elements of the story and culture.

In character design, the most important factor of a character is the appearance as it is what the viewer would first see the character as it is. The most prominent feature of the appearance is the clothing, the clothing is the overall look of the character, following the facial feature and the body proportion. As in the studies of the Kadazandusun culture, the Unduk Ngadau, known as the beauty pageant would determine the winner with the most attractive attire of the contestants as well as the other activities of the contest that is held every year of the Harvest Festival, also known as Pesta Kaamatan. Therefore, the clothing is the most crucial factor of a character design, also the clothes would have distinguished patterns on the clothing as it represents the tribes.

In understanding culture representation in games is important, as culture includes language, religion, food, clothing, art and festivals. Culture is used as tools to represent the cultural heritage as well as impact the game context, which is the narrative. All the examples given in the factors of character design have cultural representations, such as the clothing of the Kadazandusun, which is the pattern on the clothing. It represents the identity of the tribes, the pattern is known as “Linangkit”, the terms of the “Linangkit” differ depending on the tribes. Therefore, clothing is one of the examples of symbols in cultural representation.

In creating a character with the characteristics of Kadazan culture, Huminodun is a great example for implementing a character, besides the clothing, the personality of a character is also important for character building and the storyline. Huminodun is a brave and selfless person that she cared about her people, these characteristics can be implanted in character for decision making, not only that, it helps in the development of the narrative.

In the overall conclusion of the article, the characteristics of Sabah culture that can influence in character design is the traditional clothing and also the personality of Huminodun, which is a brave and selfless character. However, the personality of a character may change depending on the narrative.

Reference (APA format):

Articles:

1. 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Questionnaires - Survey Anyplace. (2019, March 21). Survey Anyplace. https://surveyanyplace.com/questionnaire-pros-and-cons/

2. Dahlan Abdul Ghani. (2015). Upin & Ipin: Promoting Malaysian culture values through animation. ResearchGate; unknown. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283765123_Upin_Ipin_Promoting_Malaysian_culture_values_through_animation

3. Eric. P. (2018). Character in Literature: Definition, Types & Development. https://study.com/academy/lesson/character-in-literature-definition-types-development.html

4. Liang, J. (2018). A Study on Game Art Character Design and Traditional Culture. DEStech Transactions on Social Science, Education and Human Science, adess. https://doi.org/10.12783/dtssehs/adess2017/17745

5. Sheldon, L. (2004). Character Development and Storytelling. United States of America: Thomson Course Technology PTR.

6. Williamson, T. (2019). Culture of Malaysia. https://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Malaysia.html

Images:

1. ‌Google Image Result for https://www.amazingborneo.com/uploads/images/posts/145/medium/IMG_8727.jpg. (n.d.). Www.Google.Com. Retrieved May 24, 2020, from https://images.app.goo.gl/R8UJEhWrowRuxD89A

2. ‌Google Image Result for https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5PTi5uhPWlg/maxresdefault.jpg. (n.d.). Www.Google.Com. Retrieved May 24, 2020, from https://images.app.goo.gl/xUXgLh7WCFyZ9bSe9

3. Toppeaktravel. (2018, May 7). Linangkit, Sabah Borneo traditional embroidery | Borneo Culture. Top Peak Travel Borneo. https://toppeaktravel.com/linangkit-sabah-borneo-traditional-embroidery/

Video:

1. HUMINODUN: A WOMAN’S LEGACY. (2019). [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PTi5uhPWlg

Appendices (For Visuals that require a full page—subject to page cap 16)

Appendix 1 Questionnaire

Appendix 2 Questionnaire

Appendix 3 Visual Analysis

Appendix 4 Visual Analysis

Appendix 5 Visual Analysis