Some video game characters remain iconic through the years thanks to fun gameplay and in-depth storytelling. Sometimes, video game characters are especially memorable due to their distinct looks and design.
In a 2021 study published in the Frontiers in Computer Science journal, researchers highlighted the role visual design plays in impacting video game players’ perception of a character’s morality. Researchers note that people use characters’ appearances to judge a character’s morality. At the same time, morality perception has been found to greatly affect people’s enjoyment of games and other media. As such, video game designers and artists try to match character designs with how they want a character to be perceived, whether it’s a bad guy who looks evil or a good guy who looks innocent or even nerdy.
Many video game characters stand out thanks to their character design. Pac-Man, of course, is easily recognizable thanks to his straightforward design. Mario and Luigi, meanwhile, are easily distinguishable thanks to their colored overalls. Through the years, one of the most consistent elements in video game character design — regardless of the time period and setting — is eyewear.
In this post, we’ll look at four video game characters who make eyewear look extra cool:
Cassie Cage (Mortal Kombat)
The Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise have seen a total of 77 playable fighters throughout the series, in addition to unplayable bosses and guest characters such as DC Comics characters and other pop culture references like RoboCop, the Xenomorph, and more.
Among these characters, Cassie Cage stands out as the daughter of characters Johny Cage and Sonya Blade. One of her key accessories is her shades. The eyewear is clearly inspired by some of the men’s sunglasses from Ray-Ban. The aviators were initially designed for male pilots, but evolutions in fashion and style have adopted them into unisex models. Retailer OPSM offers various aviator models from different brands like Versace, Gucci, and Oakley, all of which can offer modernized takes for Cassie in future Mortal Kombat games. Considering Cassie spawned from Special Forces badass Sonya Blade herself, the aviators provide equal parts style and militaristic vibe, completing her look.
Chamber (Valorant)
First-person shooter Valorant’s characters are a mixed bag of fantasy and tactical designs. As such, French Agent Chamber stands out among the roster for being neither fantasy-based nor militaristic necessarily. The character has become a popular pick among players following an ability update that made him a viable character in the game’s esports competitions.
Among the existing Valorant characters, Chamber stands out due to his immaculate fashion style. Wearing a vest over a dress shirt, many Valorant players and fans who cosplay the character always remember his signature rectangular glasses. Paired with his sleek combover undercut, Chamber’s glasses exude elegance instead of geeky or nerdy. According to character producer John Goscicki, Chamber’s character design tries to represent his attention to detail. As a weapons master and an elite sniper in the game, Chamber’s glasses ensure he never misses his shot on top of making him look stylish on the battlefield.
Bayonetta (Bayonetta 3)
Another iconic eyewear-sporting video game character is Bayonetta, from the game series of the same name. In a previous post, we highlighted balance changes added to Bayonetta 3, which included combat adjustments, balance changes, and changes to game modes. The urban fantasy action-adventure franchise follows the titular Bayonetta character who wields dual pistols in high heels and an unexpected supernatural weapon — her hair.
Her thin-framed, rectangular glasses have become a fashion icon among gamers and fans of the franchise. Today, the frames are simply referred to as Bayonetta glasses or siren glasses, in reference to the “office siren” trend popularized by fashion household names like Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid. Aside from the “office siren” trend, many also associate the aesthetic of the Bayonetta glasses with Dark Academia, which is consistent with the Bayonetta games. On social media, the trend is also often called Bayonettacore.
Eggman (Sonic)
Finally, another iconic video game character who popularized their eyewear is the Sonic franchise’s villain, Eggman. The archenemy of Sonic the Hedgehog, Eggman is one of the most famour and distinguishable video game characters. His specialty, aside from his rotund build, is his military robots and pince-nez sunglasses.
Interestingly, the pince-nez style of sunglasses is significantly historical. It was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was initially worn by being connected using a suspension chain, cord, or ribbon to support easy removal. In cartoonized versions of Eggman, his sunglasses are often drawn as simple ovals or circles. Of course, in the recent film adaptations where comedian Jim Carrey portrays the character, the pince-nez are replaced by thick, steampunk goggles in red lenses.
