I believe that video games are the newest installment of storytelling. Not a profound statement by any means or one that many haven't heard before, however i think video games as a new medium to present stories is something that needs to be examined a little more carefully. Let me start off by saying that video games seem like the next logical installment of storytelling. First came books, which allowed a reader to visualize what he/she read while still staying on the path the author set for them. Next came cinema. Cinema allowed viewers to actually see the story take place right in front of them. However, cinema still does not fully engage the audience and still restricts the viewers to the path the director wants them to take. Then came video games. Video games give the player almost complete immersion in its content. Not only do you see the story play out in front of your eyes you are now able to control how some of the story plays out. This allows each user to have a different experience. Example: You may have completed a Super Mario level by taking a pipe that takes you to the end of the level where as someone else may have gotten a power up which enables them to fly over the level. This is a break through!! However i feel that video games are not recognized as a legitimate form of story telling. Most, especially those that did not grow up with video games, believe that video games are just a frivolous waste of time and do not think games can compare to great novels or films. While I don't believe that the gaming genre has actually had its "Citizen Kane" or "Gone with the Wind", i believe that a game that will define the genre as a great story telling medium is on the brink of happening. We were very close with games such as Mass Effect ,Final Fantasy or Metal Gear but we haven't quite gotten it right yet. This all being said Video games will never replace books or movies. Both have characteristics specific to their genre which can never be replaced by another. So while i'm a huge advocate of gaming I encourage gamers to experience all aspects of storytelling and maybe in doing so the gaming community can create something magical that will define video games as a legitimate source of story telling. Thank you for reading! This is my first blog so i'm sure i have ways to improve, let me know what you think and be sure to comment good or bad!! Happy gaming Scott