Storytelling is an essential component of any video game. A video game narrative is what immerses the player into the world and keeps them engaged throughout the experience. In this article, we will explore video games and storytelling, different techniques, and how this combination contributes to the overall experience.
The Power of Narrative in Video Games
Video games are a unique medium in that they allow the player to be fully immersed in the experience. They provide a level of interactivity and engagement that is not possible in other forms of media. Storytelling in video games plays a crucial role in this, providing context for the player’s actions and giving meaning to their decisions.
Good video game storytelling can evoke powerful emotions in the player, such as fear, excitement, or sadness. It can also help the player form an emotional connection with the game’s characters, making the experience more memorable and impactful.
The Different Types of Video Game Storytelling
There are various techniques for storytelling in video games. Some games are labeled ‘narrative games’ as they rely heavily on it, while others use it more sparingly. Here are some of the most common types of storytelling used in video games:
Linear Storytelling: This is the most straightforward type of video game storytelling, where the game’s narrative is presented linearly. The player progresses through the story, and their actions have little impact on the outcome.
Branching Storytelling: In this type of video game storytelling, the player’s decisions impact the game’s narrative. The story branches off into different paths, depending on the player’s actions, leading to multiple possible outcomes.
Open-Ended Storytelling: This type of game narrative approach provides the player with a sandbox-style game world where they can create their own story. The narrative is more flexible and less defined than in linear or branching storytelling.
The Art of Using Cutscenes in Video Games
Cutscenes are a popular technique used in video games to provide exposition, advance the story, or showcase impressive visuals. Cutscenes can be used in different ways, from full-motion video to in-engine cutscenes. When used correctly, cutscenes can be a powerful storytelling tool, immersing the player further into the game world and creating memorable moments.
However, cutscenes should be used sparingly. Too many cutscenes can disrupt the flow of gameplay and detract from the player’s immersion. A good rule of thumb is to only use cutscenes when necessary and to keep them short.
The Importance of Player Agency in Video Game Storytelling
Player agency refers to the player’s ability to impact the game’s narrative through their actions. It is what makes video games such a unique storytelling medium. When the player feels like their actions have consequences, they become more invested in the game’s story.
However, providing player agency can be a delicate balancing act. The player should have enough agency to impact the story, but not so much that it disrupts the game’s pacing or breaks the narrative.
Storytelling is an essential component of video games, providing context for the player’s actions and creating an immersive experience. Different types of video game storytelling can be used, from linear to open-ended, each with their benefits and drawbacks.
The Impact of Narrative in Video Games
An impactful cutscene or narrative element in games can accomplish several things. Storytelling in games can emotionally engage players in a way that pure gameplay can’t and help us relate to characters more, understand their motivations, and instill a range of emotional responses.
Strong narrative focus and for some games the use of cutscenes are imperative to the beginning of a game. Players need to gain an understanding of the protagonist, supporting characters, villain, and whomever else is essential for an early introduction. Focusing on characters in the early stages helps players understand their motivations and anticipate their actions, and in the case of video games, anticipate what gameplay objectives might consist of. A perfect modern example of this is in 2018’s God of War game from Santa Monica Studio, where the protagonists’ journey and motivation for participating in it is clearly laid out from the beginning while also foreshadowing potential conflicts.
Storytelling techniques are also essential to provide players with different perspectives and experiences. Fostering emotional responses from players for sympathetic villains can be accomplished through focused cutscenes that provide insight into their motivations and means, developing a more complex emotional relationship between players and the villain. Some games have players experience the game as different characters, sometimes replaying entire sequences from the perspective of another character to reinforce narrative complexity and moral gray areas.
Storytelling Techniques in Video Games
One of the most common ways to tell stories in games is through the use of character development and dialogue. In games that use these techniques, much of the story is expressed through direct dialogue with the player character and their allies, informing them of new developments about their journey, obstacles, other characters, and other need-to-know information about the protagonist’s goals.
Character Development
Character development sees our characters change over time due to events in-game. Development can affect their worldview, character relationships, and how they attempt to accomplish their goals.
This is commonly seen in coming-of-age stories, where characters are forced to mature due to the events they experience, and by the end of the story they commonly wind up seeing the world through a different lens, and their values changed. Well-written games won’t simply have events occur around characters, these events will fundamentally challenge them and change them for better or worse.
Environmental Storytelling
A less direct technique is environmental storytelling, frequently used by Dark Souls and Elden Ring developer, FromSoftware. With this technique, the focus is shifted from direct dialogue and overt character development to environmental clues that players can piece together to discover the story.
In these games, less information is directly provided to the player and if it is provided, it’s often vague. Throughout the natural course of gameplay, players will uncover information by examining the world around them to find evidence of conflict, catastrophe, or another kind of event. These hints can be on a larger scale, such as ruined buildings and dead bodies, or more subtle things like the placement of items and debris.
This technique can be more demanding for players but is considered by many to be a rewarding way to experience a narrative. Even if a player is convinced they’ve fully uncovered a story, there is generally no clear and definitive indication given to affirm their beliefs. Stories told in this way encourage imaginative deduction and in the absence of conclusive answers, players can be forced to reevaluate their findings time and again with the possibility of discovering something new.
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