Our Obsession With Storylines: Do Games Really Need One?

Opinion is key.

IMO some of them, yes they need it.

yes

Yeh, if they can pull it off successfully it makes the gameplay much better by giving a greater sense of weight to the gameplay scenarios.

Some games rely on story, some rely on atmosphere, some rely on pure gameplay.

The games that rely on story, yes, they need a story.

if it'll shut up all the "games are art" whiners-The-G-Man-

games can be art.

IMO, stories in games are horrible. I haven't been really impressed with a story since MGS1. http://www.dealspwn.com/obsession-storylines-games/PSP107

Play Yakuza then! :D

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]if it'll shut up all the "games are art" whinerstheuncharted34

games can be art.

Some do. Some don't.

if it'll shut up all the "games are art" whiners-The-G-Man-

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]if it'll shut up all the "games are art" whinersVinegar_Strokes

games can be art.

never played SOTC? or Okami?

I could say the same thing for any other form of media. But it'd be ignorant.

[QUOTE="Vinegar_Strokes"][QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

games can be art.

theuncharted34

never played SOTC? or Okami?

I could say the same thing for any other form of media. But it'd be ignorant.

I prefer single player games with an interesting story and/or interesting characters.

There are so many games with solid gameplay that for one to stand out it has to be memorable in some way. Besides Starcraft 2 and Street Fighter's multiplayer gameplay is phenomenal, so if a single player game doesn't have much outside of the gameplay, I would probably just play those two games.

That said I won't miss out on a game if it has amazing gameplay. It's just interesting dialogue/story/characters would really help.

I've never cared much about a good storyline.
If it's good,I'll acknowledge it.If it sucks,I won't care.

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="Vinegar_Strokes"]motel art at best-The-G-Man-

never played SOTC? or Okami?

I could say the same thing for any other form of media. But it'd be ignorant.

I said games can be art. Not the majority of games are art. He responded with, "Motel art at best"

And I gave him examples proving him wrong. It depends on the developer on what route their games go. Heck, the majority of movies aren't art. They're cruddy parody movie's, action titles, or comedys.

I strongly disagree. There's alot of japanese poetry in the game to go along with the visuals that are happening on screen.

EDIT: again, this "games can't be art thing" is just raw ignorance.

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"][QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

never played SOTC? or Okami?

I could say the same thing for any other form of media. But it'd be ignorant.

theuncharted34

I said games can be art. Not the majority of games are art. He responded with, "Motel art at best"

And I gave him examples proving him wrong. It depends on the developer on what route their games go. Heck, the majority of movies aren't art. They're cruddy parody movie's, action titles, or comedys.

I strongly disagree. There's alot of japanese poetry in the game to go along with the visuals that are happening on screen.

EDIT: again, this "games can't be art thing" is just raw ignorance.

For me yes. (even if the story is bad) It gives me some motivation to beat the game.

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"] maybe games will get there somebody, but those are only two examples (and I'd say Okami is only there for visual ****/font>) out of few enough to be counted on one hand.-The-G-Man-

I said games can be art. Not the majority of games are art. He responded with, "Motel art at best"

And I gave him examples proving him wrong. It depends on the developer on what route their games go. Heck, the majority of movies aren't art. They're cruddy parody movie's, action titles, or comedys.

I strongly disagree. There's alot of japanese poetry in the game to go along with the visuals that are happening on screen.

EDIT: again, this "games can't be art thing" is just raw ignorance.

and when did I say it couldn't?

And those can be accomplished in games.

Do you see what I'm saying?

I really enjoy a good story in games, but is it absolutely necessary? No, not for me at least.

A game does not need a story. Games like mario galaxy or super meat boy prove this. However, some games are improved by a story as it enhances atmosphere and player motivation when a story drives the gameplay along.

No, they absolutely do not. If I want a story, then I'll watch a movie or an anime (which is basically what every jrpg's story is the equivalent of is anyway). Give me tight mechanics, catchy music, and I'm 100% good. My favorite games' stories could be written in a few sentences, if that.

Besides, games are better at immersing you into the experience. Because you're part of the experience.

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]As for the movies, The Great Dictator, Seven Samurai, and Dr. Strangelove say hello.theuncharted34

And those can be accomplished in games.

Some games are better without one. Some games are better when they eschew some gameplay in favor of story. And there's a lot of games in between.

What I'd really like is to see more stories that aren't as overthought and focus-grouped as all game stories are this generation. Sometimes I just like to have a story that someone came up with in 5 minutes.

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]As for the movies, The Great Dictator, Seven Samurai, and Dr. Strangelove say hello.-The-G-Man-

And those can be accomplished in games.

I don't see how cutscenes are "wannabe movies", when they're practically the same thing.

Then what if the cutscene is interactive? then you're better immersed in the experience.

For me yes. (even if the story is bad) It gives me some motivation to beat the game.

jasonharris48

Games are played for gameplay. No story needed.

[QUOTE="darkspineslayer"]Games like MGS, Assassins Creed and Uncharted woulden't be nearly as good without the storylineOneSanitarium

Games are played for gameplay. No story needed.

If game doesn't have story its not worth playing imo

They should stop making stupid mario and zelda games no one wants to play game with no story

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"][QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

And those can be accomplished in games.

theuncharted34

I don't see how cutscenes are "wannabe movies", when they're practically the same thing.

Then what if the cutscene is interactive? then you're better immersed in the experience.

If game doesn't have story its not worth playing imo

They should stop making stupid mario and zelda games no one wants to play game with no story

Zurrur

If game doesn't have story its not worth playing imo

They should stop making stupid mario and zelda games no one wants to play game with no story

Zurrur

Speak for yourself. I don't want some overly dramatic story in any of those games. If a story is needed to push one to play any game, then I'd say the game isn't worth playing.

If game doesn't have story its not worth playing imo

They should stop making stupid mario and zelda games no one wants to play game with no story

Zurrur

If game doesn't have story its not worth playing imo

They should stop making stupid mario and zelda games no one wants to play game with no story

Zurrur

Games like MGS, Assassins Creed and Uncharted woulden't be nearly as good without the storylinedarkspineslayer

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]only through cutscenes, which are simply wannabe movies. i seriously doubt you've seen any of the three saying they can be accomplished in games.theuncharted34

I don't see how cutscenes are "wannabe movies", when they're practically the same thing.

Then what if the cutscene is interactive? then you're better immersed in the experience.

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]only through cutscenes, which are simply wannabe movies. i seriously doubt you've seen any of the three saying they can be accomplished in games.foxhound_fox

I don't see how cutscenes are "wannabe movies", when they're practically the same thing.

Then what if the cutscene is interactive? then you're better immersed in the experience.

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"] only through cutscenes, which are simply wannabe movies. i seriously doubt you've seen any of the three saying they can be accomplished in games.-The-G-Man-

I don't see how cutscenes are "wannabe movies", when they're practically the same thing.

Then what if the cutscene is interactive? then you're better immersed in the experience.

I was talking about something along the lines of Heavy Rain. Which is incredible.

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]only through cutscenes, which are simply wannabe movies. i seriously doubt you've seen any of the three saying they can be accomplished in games.foxhound_fox

I don't see how cutscenes are "wannabe movies", when they're practically the same thing.

Then what if the cutscene is interactive? then you're better immersed in the experience.

So Books > Games = movies When it comes to storytelling?

Seems right to me.

Depends on the genres. Games like 999 for example would need a story (heck the game is amazing mostly for it awesome story).

[QUOTE="theuncharted34"]

[QUOTE="-The-G-Man-"]only through cutscenes, which are simply wannabe movies. i seriously doubt you've seen any of the three saying they can be accomplished in games.foxhound_fox

I don't see how cutscenes are "wannabe movies", when they're practically the same thing.

Then what if the cutscene is interactive? then you're better immersed in the experience.