The design of the modern gaming protagonist is shifting away from the solitary hero, moving instead toward complex dual-lead systems and the strategic elevation of legacy characters to legendary status. This evolution is most evident in recent directives from Ubisoft and Capcom, where character utility is being weighed against narrative focus to define the player experience in the 2020s.
Ubisoft’s Pivot to Dual-Protagonist Narratives
Ubisoft has signaled a long-term commitment to dual protagonists for the future of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. This design choice reflects a broader industry trend of splitting perspectives to provide varied gameplay styles within a single title. However, this approach has not been without internal or critical debate.
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the inclusion of Ninja Naoe has sparked discussions regarding character focus. Some analysis suggests that Naoe’s specific skill set and narrative arc were strong enough to carry the game as the sole protagonist, rather than sharing the spotlight. Despite these critiques, Ubisoft’s strategy remains firm: the dual-protagonist model is a permanent fixture for the series’ trajectory.
This shift suggests that developers are prioritizing mechanical variety—offering players two distinct ways to interact with the world—over the traditional, singular character journey.
Context: Dual Protagonist Systems
In modern open-world design, dual protagonists are often used to bridge different gameplay pillars—such as stealth and combat—allowing developers to implement specialized mechanics for each character without compromising the balance of a single character’s abilities.
The Legacy Powerhouse: Leon Kennedy in Requiem
While some studios are splitting their leads, Capcom is doubling down on the mythos of its established icons. In the preview for Resident Evil: Requiem, the director has explicitly positioned Leon Kennedy as the strongest person in the entire history of the Resident Evil series.
This positioning does more than just build hype; it establishes a power ceiling for the franchise’s universe. By framing a legacy character as the definitive pinnacle of strength, Capcom leverages nostalgia while providing a concrete benchmark for the challenges players will face in Requiem.
Expanding the Hero Roster via DLC
Beyond the core narrative leads, the industry is increasingly using paid expansions to broaden the protagonist experience. Dynasty Warriors Origins is following this path with the announcement of “Visions of Four Heroes,” a major paid DLC scheduled for launch in January 2026. This allows developers to explore secondary characters who may not fit the primary campaign but possess enough draw to sustain a standalone expansion.
This strategy effectively treats protagonists as modular content, extending the lifecycle of the game while testing which characters resonate most with the audience for potential future leads.
Character Design Q&A
Does the dual-protagonist trend hurt character depth?
Critics argue that splitting the lead role can dilute the emotional impact of a single journey, as seen in the debate over Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. However, from a product standpoint, it increases the “utility” of the game by offering more gameplay options.
Why focus on legacy characters like Leon Kennedy?
Legacy characters provide a guaranteed baseline of player engagement and allow developers to create “power fantasies” that are easier to market than entirely latest, unproven protagonists.
As the industry balances the demand for mechanical variety with the need for deep, character-driven storytelling, will the dual-protagonist model eventually replace the solo lead in AAA open-world gaming?
