Character Development (Fred - Main Character)

First few concepts for Fred.

Fred's design had to take a radical step away from his original incarnation, he had been portrayed as a cartoon-like, round and over-wieght character who seemed to be heavily based on Indiana Jones.
For my incarnation of the character I want to take him into a more realistic and believable environment and design, meaning he would have accurate anatomy.

Fred Walker (A last name I had given the character through my development) was going to be aged in his late 40's to 50 years old, I wanted him to look aged and experienced which would make his deteriation and the reflection of occuring events place a bigger impact onto the player as you seem them take place on him.
He would generally have short hair that would eventually become longer and messier as the player spends time in the gameworld, as well as stubble developing into a beard depending on how long Fred is in the Underground.

Final concept for Fred.

I want Fred to have a "template" design so that through the game he can be built upon and customised as the game progressed, not only in improvements but unavoidable aspects like injuries and time related changes in his appearance such as hair growth, stubble, scars and wounds.
Along with a simplistic appearal design so that items such as parts of armour, weapons and gear that Fred salvages need to be seen on the character model, the only equipment that he will always carry is his backpack (Which he can mount weapons on) and a grappling hook attatched to his belt, this will be used to hold all of his equipment like his Journal (used for saving, stat logging, development and maps.) and camping survival gear.

Being experienced in his field of work and his history with Blackwater (An antagonist group that places a role in the story) the only thing that keeps him going is his daughter's critical condition, his income keeping her alive and medicated.
The objective that takes place in the game will solve his daughter's issues for good.