One of the easiest ways to add personality to a game, writing item flavor text is a favorite assignment of mine. Good flavor text can provide unexpected humor, expand game lore, differentiate visually-similar items, or highlight an item’s unique characteristics to spark player interest. Here are some examples from ArcheAge, a fantasy MMORPG I worked on early in my career.

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Oathbound Plate

This gleaming silver armor shines in even the darkest times. It speaks of grand heroics, noble deeds, and death before dishonor.

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Oathbreaker Plate

This blackened gothic plate has been stained by countless battles. There is no pageantry or fanfare to be found in this dark shell: only the brutal practicality of blood and steel.

 

Haughty Duelist Costume

On the pirate isle of Growlgate, bravado is a way of life. Flamboyant outfits like this one are both a boast and a threat, suggesting a confidence that comes from countless bloody victories.

 

Chimera Agent Uniform
A shadowy network of spies and assassins, Chimera serves as the hidden hand of Anthalon and his Aust Followers. Brainwashed from a young age to ensure ruthless devotion, their agents specialize in poison, mind control, and death.

 

Dragon Cultist Duster
Imbued with the flames of the Red Dragon herself, these ornate jackets are worn by the most elite members of the secretive dragon cult.

 

Inquisitor’s Robes
After discovering the traitorous Aust Followers within their midst, a portion of Nui's Shield renounced their order's peaceful ways. Known as Inquisitors, these grim fanatics have sworn an oath to eradicate the cultists wherever they may hide.

 

Fledgling Phoenix
Once a rarity on Auroria, the phoenix has found a new home in the ever-burning forests of the southern peninsula. While incredibly dangerous to hold in captivity, those lucky enough to befriend one all agree: a few singed cloaks are a small cost for the healing power a Phoenix can provide.

 

Stormwing Pegasus
The embodiment of thunder and lightning, this mythical creature is as wild as the storms that birthed it. Only the very brave or very foolish dare to ride it.

 

Fastropod Racing Snail
Carefully selected from a famous line of racing snails, these friendly mollusks are bred to be the fastest of their kind. It is important to remember, however, that their kind are still... well... snails.

 

Dr. Conker’s Pyromantic Puzzlebox
Constructed by an infamous dwarven artificer, these colorful cubes were apparently intended to be a more challenging version of a popular children's toy. Unfortunately, most customers were less than pleased to own a sentient puzzlebox that floated, solved itself, and occasionally incinerated uncooperative players.
 

Dr. Conker’s Mechanized Mega-Kickers
Another questionable invention by the dangerously-overenthusiastic Dr. Conker, these dwarven rocket boots have been modified to allow for a powerful forward kick when activated. They never caught on with the Andelph Guards he built them for, however, as they had the tendency to misfire with some regularity—inevitably launching their hapless wearers in random directions at the most inopportune moments.

 

Christmas-themed weapon skins:
Candy Canetana, Neverending Gobsmacker, Sugarplum Shank, Yuletide Basher, Winter Wonderlance

 

Fishing-themed weapon skins:
The Smackerel, The Tuna Club, The Slashimi, The Barracutana, The Two-Handed Chowder Clouter

 

Flower-themed weapon skins:
Bouquet Blade, Garland Greatsword, Fragrant Fencer, Backstab Boutonniere, Blossom Bulwark, Perennial Pike

 

Cooking-themed weapon skins:
Butter Beheader, Marmalade Mangler, Jamspreader Jackknife, Whisk Walloper, Corn on the Clobber

 

Palette-swapped griffin variants: Royal Griffin, Moonfeather Griffin, Nocturne Griffin

 

Palette-swapped Pegasus variants: Celestial Pegasus, Hellwing Pegasus, Stormwing Pegasus

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Palette-swapped racing snail variants: Shellraiser, Fastropod, Bestcargot