Game Design & The Art Of Storytelling


By Jennifer Marie Anderson


If someone makes the claim that video games are incapable of telling stories, chances are that they haven't played many modern titles. Simply put, game design has blossomed into one of the biggest storytelling platforms imaginable, regardless of how simple or intricate those tales might be. With that said, I think that it's important to discuss just how this endeavor can be carried out. Here are just a few points of interest worth covering.

One of the ways for storytelling to occur, in game design, is with actions. Sometimes, a game can tell so little and yet convey a tremendous amount of detail. Many independent developers have been able to overcome the hurdles of big budget costs and the like by simply using their games to present narratives. Many of these titles - "Thomas Was Alone" being one of the more streamlined examples - have gone on to become favorites amongst gamers. This is just one of the many talking points to be illustrated by any Long Island advertising agency.

This isn't to say that bigger budgets can't aid in the creation of gripping stories. To many gamers, "The Last of Us" stands as one of the shining beacons of video game storytelling, as it featured everything from strong characters to a plot with various twists and turns. To say that it grabbed the attention of the gaming world would have been an understatement. Even though it played like a game, it featured a cinematic experience unlike others in the world of gaming.

Technological features can go a long way, but they do not always guarantee the greatest story. Game design hinges on creativity, and this goes for the writing as well. Even if someone doesn't have the greatest technical expertise, he or she can still get involved in game development as a draft or storyboard writer. That individual can receive feedback from their higher-ups, before returning to their work so that adjustments can be made. To say that art colleges feature various opportunities would be an understatement.

Without question, storytelling has become one of the most essential components of game design. If it isn't set in place, depending on the genre, players have a difficult time connecting with what's being presented to them. More than anything else, it feels like conducting actions simply for the sake of seeing the end; this should never be the case. Game design is meant to immerse others, and one of the ways to do this is the creation of effective narratives.




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