Gameplay and narrative

[MetalSoup]

As I mentioned in The Stanley Parable thread, I'm not a big fan of these so called "games" that don't really have any gameplay.

In this video TotalBiscuit talks about what he thinks makes a game, a game and the difference between a game and a "virtual installation"



I definitely agree with just about everything he said.

[BeoTeK]

Was just thinking of making a thread like this this while watching this. Very engaging and thoughtful video!
It's what I come to appreciate from TB, yes he may be opinionated (but it's his opinion) and sure he may not be up there with the majority of a lot of game reviewers and what not, but he cares and actually expresses his genuine concern and emotion in his videos. I've bought a lot of games based upon his judgment and haven't gone wrong since.

But I completely agree with his take on this. Also comes back to our discussion about RTS games. I still believe one of the shining examples of this to me as Thomas Was Alone. Such an extremely simplistic game yet such a captivating narrative.
I play games as a means of escape from day-to-day life and stress relief, if I can't get distracted from the mundane and get caught up in a game, I loose interest in it.

[Snare]

I think that the challenge for any game dev is to try and find a balance between gameplay and narrative. When you reach that Zenith point is when you have gaming excellence on your hand. Veer too far Left [Narrative] and you get LA Noire. Tread too far right [Gameplay] and we end up with DeadPool. Strike that perfect balance however and you arrive at an Mass Effect 2 or an Arkham City.

Sometimes though you do need a game where you have very simplistic gameplay and excellent narrative in order to make you more appreciate appreciate both.

[B1nary]

Kinda on topic off topic, don't know if you're familiar with extra credits they do all manner of game creation ,narrative, story telling techniques, etc.. kind of videos if you find this kind of thing interesting check this out

[Clive Woofer]

Gameplay > narrative. If I want a great story, I'll go read a book or watch a movie, but when I sit down to play a game, I do so because I want to play a game. There's no reason a game with great gameplay can't have a great story too, but too often the developers focus so much on the narrative that they skimp on the actual gameplay. That's when you get games like Bioshock Infinite. Brilliant narrative, abysmally average game.

Lots of developers seem to strive to 'Holliwood-ify' videogames, and this is simply wrong, in my opinion. Focus on what makes games good as a medium instead of striving to make games more like Hollywood.

[Snare]

Gameplay > narrative. If I want a great story, I'll go read a book or watch a movie, but when I sit down to play a game, I do so because I want to play a game. There's no reason a game with great gameplay can't have a great story too, but too often the developers focus so much on the narrative that they skimp on the actual gameplay. That's when you get games like Bioshock Infinite. Brilliant narrative, abysmally average game.

Lots of developers seem to strive to 'Holliwood-ify' videogames, and this is simply wrong, in my opinion. Focus on what makes games good as a medium instead of striving to make games more like Hollywood.

Sadly though developers have noticed the games that have that Hollywood element seem to rake in the greatest spectacle in the public eye which results in a greater sales level. The fact is the medium is being treated increasingly more like a pure business model, and in business you always need to appeal to the lowest common denominator.