All you fake ass Vanessa fans LISTEN UP. This is an in-depth character analysis of Vanessa from Security Breach because everyone only sexualizes her or sees her for one of her character traits.
As a disclaimer, there is speculation on if what is said during the therapy tapes is factual or not. Vanessa changes some details between therapy sessions and some believe it might be different. For this, I am going on what she says as factual.
Vanessa's father was named Bill. "I feel like I know your dad too, Bill, right? Your dad’s name was Bill. (Retro CD-3). He was a very manipulative man and used Vanessa to make her mother look bad in court during their custody battle. "I’m talking about the custody battle between your mum and your dad. Your dad didn’t play fair, did he? He used to make your mum look bad in court." (Retro CD-3). This led to her mother taking her own life (implied) after it was finalized. "I know your mom [garbled noise] after she lost the custody case." (Retro CD-3).
The effects this had on Vanessa carried over into her professional life, following instructions incredibly well as noted by her supervisor.
This goes in order of Help Wanted, AR Emails, Security Breach.
Vanessa is the character we play as in Help Wanted. She is hired as a corporate beta tester for the game, where she puts together the tapes and Glitchtrap infects (not takes over) her mind. We know it is not a total takeover at first given the clear change in Vanessa's behavior that is clear throughout the AR emails later on.
Help Wanted does not give much on her character aside from Glitchtrap's infection.
In the AR emails is where we see a change in Vanessa. (This is also when the therapy tapes are recorded). She goes from being described as having a very stereotypical feminine personality and, overall, being both a very chipper and bright person and relatively introverted with a large amount of loneliness, Vanessa is also noted to be quite competent with technology and has a desire to do well with her job, to being detached, quiet and increasingly more isolated.
The therapy sessions happen over this time as well. She is shown to suffer from extreme anxiety as well as having incredibly low self and being unusually susceptible to manipulation. She likes following instructions and wants to do what she is told. This is a tell tale sign of her experiencing Glitchtraps manipulations.
Throughout the emails, we see that Vanessa originally is incredibly hesitant and resistant to Glitchtraps influence but due to psychological pressure (noted in therapy sessions) Vanessa slowly becomes more withdrawn after talking to the person (Glitchtrap) in the encrypted, becoming far more obedient and focused at her job. He successfully takes control of her by the end of the AR emails and she is transferred to the Pizzaplex as a security guard.
While never directly confirmed, it's highly likely that Vanny is not Vanessa entirely but rather a persona forcibly made within her mind by Glitchtrap due to his extreme manipulation (and exploitation of Vanessa's trauma if the tapes are indeed true) to carry out what he wants under his direct control.
This is shown by her confusion at the original therapist being replaced and the stark contrast between Vanessa and Vanny within the games.
Vanessa is a lot different than how people portray her in fan content. If it is true that Vanny is a puppet for Glitchtrap, it's likely she would be more similar to her original self than how she is within the games.
Vanessa likes baking and has a notebook decorated in glitter and puppy stickers, she's presented as very feminine at the start of the AR emails. She enjoys fashion as well and is said to be a very creative person. Vanessa is also said to be incredibly quiet and polite, with a desire to do well at her job.
The transition between Vanessa and Vanny happens over the span of a few months rather than instantaneous and is done through extreme manipulation and psychological pressure.
