In game development, film tends to be the first place we look to provide guidance in writing compelling stories, due primarily to the visual nature of both games and film. I don't think there is inherently anything wrong with this, but it is important to remember that games are a very different medium from film. For example, in film (and most other storytelling media) we talk about the need for character development and growth (this is sometimes abridged to the statement 'the character must undergo a change'). The character 'undergoing a change' doesn't necessarily have to be the protagonist, but in many cases it is. In games, this concept becomes complicated due to the fact that conventional game development wisdom states the protagonist should be somewhat of a blank slate; an empty vessel that the player can mold as he or she sees fit.
In games where the player and the character are so closely intertwined, perhaps the goal of the narrative should be to force a change in the player, rather than the character. Then the question becomes: How do you qualify a 'change' in someone as a direct result of a playing a video game? (I don't think behavioural changes, such as those induced by the addictive qualities of games like World of Warcraft are sufficient, by the way). Due to the nature of my employment I haven't spent much time lately playing games outside of the mainstream, but I would guess that there are likely many serious and persuasive games out there that purport to change the player in some way. Have you ever been changed by such a game?
Hmmm, as you know I'm not much of a gamer. I can say though, that 'Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past', the gameboy game changed me in some way. I know it sounds lame, but it gave me some confidence. To this day that is the only game I ever finished and it is the only game where I didn't need you to help me pass a difficult part. I'm not sure that helps for your ideas about 'narrative', since your target audience are probably people who actually play games somewhat frequently.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually 'Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening' that you're thinking of. 'A Link to the Past' was the SNES title. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that this was the only video game you've ever played all the way through. Was there something about the game (gameplay or story, for example) that encouraged you to keep playing? Or was it sheer determination that got you to the finish? Do you remember if there was a point where you said to yourself: "I'm going to do this all by myself - and I'm going to finish it"? Was there some sort of behaviour change while you were playing the game? Because the other interesting thing is that despite 'Link's Awakening' giving you confidence, you've never finished another game. :)
It has been a long time, so I can't quite remember, but I think there was a point where sheer determination kicked in. It may have helped that (if I remember correctly) it wasn't too difficult at the beginning so I wasn't immediately turned off. The increase in difficulty was mostly linear so there wasn't too many points that I felt it would be impossible to pass to the next level. I think this is the point where I would often quit in other games (ie Donkey Kong Country). I think the console may have had a part to play aswell. When playing a more communal system with other people there are only so many times that you can get a game over, before you feel like a bit of a lost cause. With the gameboy losing made me frustrated, but also more determined.
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