In order to gain a better understandment of what well-thought out, enjoyable, and just plain good character development may look like, here are a few examples- possibly known or possibly not, of some characters I know of that have developed brilliantly over time. Whether they were written, appeared on a television or movie show, or were in a Broadway.
(http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/31400000/Death-Takes-a-Holiday-castiel-31435826-200-200.jpg)
Castiel
From the television series Supernatural, Castiel: angel, human, then angel again
has undergone a sort of development that could only be titled as 'becoming human'. I'm not
going to go into too much detail for the sake of spoiling, but let me tell you: over the course
of time and his own actions as well as his own interactions with other characters: he's definitely
not the same as he was when he first appeared.
(http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Elphaba-wicked-257192_130_130.jpg)
Elphaba
From the book and Broadway Wicked (she made appearances in other books too, but let's
keep this simple) is probably one of the most plain-out developed, enjoyable, and interesting
characters I've ever seen. I can remember when she set up a meeting between a boy and her
roommate, and through the entire thing made sassy remarks (oh ho, the joy in that!). After
other things that have happened? She's not that person, but she definitely holds the uncaring
attitude she formerly did. Not going into too much detail because this is a character you should
really experience by yourself, and spoilers if you're going to see the Broadway or are reading any
of the books.
(http://moffatwhoreview.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/doctors.jpg?w=590)
The Doctor
Pictured above are eleven out of the twelve Doctors- missing Peter Capaldi as the twelfth, to specify.
Nonetheless this, my friends, is the most long-term, over-time and extraordinary example of character
development you shall ever lay eyes upon, because over the course of fifty years has this time lord from
Gallifrey been developed: fifty years of adventuring with companions as interesting or even better than
the Doctor, fifty years of traveling in a big blue box called the TARDIS and let me tell you, with regeneration
aside but memories included, he's definitely not the same, and everything he did do lead up to what he
currently is now.
(http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/047/c/4/warm_bodies_by_upperstories-d5v854b.jpg)
R
Sorry its art, I wanted an example more accurate than the movie's lesser-looking, red-hoodie wearing 'R'.
Art belongs to upperstories on deviantART. But, onto the actual subject of this character; he has a similar
transformation to Castiel, who was mentioned above. He turns 'human', but he's definitely not an angel
at the start. Originally being a zombie, but after devouring a young man named Perry's brain, he connects
to Perry, who is surprisingly reaching out to him through that. After rescuing a girl named Julie, he also
protects her from the other, less humane zombies. He breaks away from being just, 'dead', basically.
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Pros n' ConsInconveniences you may find while thoroughly developing a character over time may include:
- the amount of time it takes if roleplaying
- it may not always turn out 'right' if you are aiming for a sense of mental realism here
- when roleplaying, the tale does not always go as you wish for it to be told
- requires more planning/making sure people don't 'screw up the process too much'.
- when switching to another universe, it may be illogical for the character to know past acquaintances.
Good things you'll encounter may include:
- character may turn out better, considering planning was done over time
- when role playing the experience with other players often allows you to make new friends at the same time
- if writing a book/script/whatever, people may find the character more likable/interesting because of how they changed
- you'll have an actual backstory with more than just other characters when joining a roleplay.
- history? you've worked on it. you deserve to write that complex thing down, because it really happened!