Released back in 2004, Collateral was one of the first movies to make me feel that caring for characters in films actually enhances my movie-watching experience. It's a little odd to admit, but a person like myself, so used to the simplicity and shallow nature of video game stories, takes a bit longer to really appreciate the power and value of a good story.
I feel moved to say that it's still a bit silly to compare game stories with those in movies and books. And I hate to admit this, but when it comes to games, narrative tends to always play second fiddle to gameplay - and one has to wonder if it really has to be that way.
Miyamoto will tell you that yes, gameplay is ultimately more important; it's just the story's job to give reason to the various gameplay elements. The puzzles, the weapons, the various dungeon themes - these are all elements that need a reason to exist in a Zelda game. So Aonuma and the band work on a story at about the same time they work on the game's music (probably the latter half), and end up nixing only a few of the gameplay elements to make it all come together.
With games, and only with games, the developer has to manage how much of his own story he can tell while still allowing the player to have a unique game experience. It's got to be interactive. But a movie watcher gives up her agency and submits it to the director of a movie. The job of telling a cohesive story is far easier for a movie director because he doesn't have to worry about his audience screwing up the experience he was trying to convey.
Game developers focus on gameplay because they are constantly thinking of ways to wow the player, and giving them incentive to proceed, over and over again. Whether that be by rewarding them with points, a heart piece, access to a locked room, a weapon upgrade, new character outfits, or an advanced difficulty mode, developers have more immediate problems to solve when pushing to engage the player. This is why I believe story ultimately takes the backseat when it comes to video games.
But does it have to? Do you have an example of a game whose creator has masterfully integrated a narrative with unique gameplay elements? Tell me what you think!
I'm a fan of implied narrative. Indie games tend to be based on mechanics too much to integrate a fully-developed narrative but they imply a narrative through the artwork, music, special effects, and the progression of the gameplay. I like to think of this concept with respect to music because music operates based on implied narrative usually. The mechanics represent the "music" of the song and the artwork, sound, etc. are like the lyrics which give meaning to the core experience. So I think very direct and detailed storytelling does take a backseat to gameplay but who's to say that games should use that kind of storytelling?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Ben. I'll consider implied narrative more actively to see how games take advantage of this form of expression.
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