Saturday 3 October 2015

Storytelling & How It's Woven Into Game Design

By Jennifer Marie Anderson


When it comes to storytelling and video games, it's easy to see how they can be joined at the hip. In this day and age, more and more creators have taken it upon themselves to craft unique, compelling narratives, each of which can be furthered through interaction by the user. To say that storytelling has been a tremendous part of game design would be an understatement. With that said, the following talking points are just a few for aspiring artists to consider.

In order for stories to be told through way of game design, actions must be clear. Keep in mind that a particular game doesn't exactly have to be intricate in order to tell a strong story; it's just a matter of immersing the user to where they can believe what they're being shown. Even though "Thomas Was Alone" had a minimalistic design, it was an engrossing experience all the same. It's just a matter of how a developer works with what they have, which any Long Island advertising agency can attest to.

This isn't to say that bigger budgets can't aid in the creation of gripping stories. To many gamers, "The Last of Us" stands as one of the shining beacons of video game storytelling, as it featured everything from strong characters to a plot with various twists and turns. To say that it grabbed the attention of the gaming world would have been an understatement. Even though it played like a game, it featured a cinematic experience unlike others in the world of gaming.

Technological features can go a long way, but they do not always guarantee the greatest story. Game design hinges on creativity, and this goes for the writing as well. Even if someone doesn't have the greatest technical expertise, he or she can still get involved in game development as a draft or storyboard writer. That individual can receive feedback from their higher-ups, before returning to their work so that adjustments can be made. To say that art colleges feature various opportunities would be an understatement.

If storytelling is left out of the equation of game design, it's likely that developers will not find the success they would desire. Video games have evolved so much over the past decade or so; as a result, players expect greater experiences for the money they put forth. Developers must work hard to create gripping experiences. What this means is that storytelling must play a role, and to say that this element matters would be an understatement.




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