Games always appear to be picked on when the topic of storytelling arises. They are like the kid in gym class whom most people liked, but still tortured because he just wasn't as developed as everybody else at that point. However, instead of observing the progress that little boy had made in the transition between grades, we needlessly continued to point out his shortcomings. This kind of reverse interpretation seems to be the reason why a lot of developers just don't focus on storytelling as much as they should.

Part I

Now there will be a handful of people who proclaim that it is because of time or budget constraints that the narrative of a game must take the back seat. To that I ask, why does a compelling element like narrative have to take a back seat to technology? I am correct in saying that our current generation is more powerful than any generation prior, as it should be. What would video games be without technological progress? But do games always need to cram the idea that they have really pretty 3D models, or super hi-res textures down gamers throats? Why can't graphics take a back seat every so often? Why not create great gameplay, with an amazing story, a great art style, and decent graphics? Where is the harm in that? After all everyone knows how powerful the systems current systems are. Nobody is questioning their abilities. It seems that some developers feel the need to push out games with state-of-the-art graphics in order to boost their ego. 'Look at how big I am, I can kick this under developed dweebs ass!' Shouldn't game developers be siding with the dweeb for their own future well being.

Part II

Games need to be more about open worlds in order to be effective narratives and stories. Part of the reason I love reading fantasy stories or watching fantasy movies is because, a great deal of the time, the narrative takes place in a living breathing world that has been fleshed out and expanded upon. Part of the reason books like The Lord Of The Rings are so beloved is because they make the observer desire to be involved in the world that has been created. That is precisely where most games should go (fantasy or not). There have only been a handful of games throughout video game history that have been able to create such experiences, most of which within the last decade or decade and a half. Creating worlds such Zelda: Ocarina Of Time, Grand Theft Auto, Fallout, Fable, Shadow Of The Colossus (the list goes on) is essential to melding the aspects of gameplay and storytelling. The sheer ability to just play around in these worlds and examine every facet they have to offer provides half of the overall entertainment value. I am not saying that every single game should follow this path because it just isn't what certain people are looking for in games. However, creating an open world that encourages exploration but also encourages story development is clearly feasible and is accomplished in nearly every game I listed above. I just look forward to an era where game developers (and game writers) have reached their stride. An era in which the question of whether or not video games can be viewed as a story telling medium no longer exists.

-rufus