Video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in recent years, with billions of people worldwide playing them daily. Technological advances have transformed how we play games, and storytelling has emerged as an essential part of what makes the difference between a good and a great game.
Video games are an excellent storytelling medium, and developers use various methods for weaving a story into a game. Keep reading to learn about the important role storytelling plays in video games.
Casino Games
Storytelling may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an online casino, but many casino games include a story that unfolds as you play. While these stories aren’t complex, they serve as an entertaining way to keep players engaged.
You’ll often find stories in themed slots such as Chumba Casino’s Kraken’s Bounty, which transports you to another time as you search for hidden treasures. That’s not all; titles like Stampede Fury, Quest West, and the Last Empress all have their unique theme and story.
Improved Graphics and Game Mechanics
Games without much storytelling, such as card games for Android, don’t require a plot for players to advance through the game. However, graphically-intensive games that create immersive worlds for players to explore wouldn’t work well without a narrative to hook players and guide them as they move through the game.
As a result, the best games tell a story, and most gamers have come to expect it. Great storytelling transforms a game into a captivating and interactive experience, transporting players to a new world. Of course, games like Minecraft and Super Mario brothers are masterpieces that don’t include much storytelling. Still, some of the best games lean heavily on good writing and a story that drives the game.
Action Role-Playing Games
If you’ve played the Witcher 3, you know how important the plot can be to a video game. This game is based on the seven-volume book series by Andrzej Sapkowski and has you playing as the witcher, Geralt of Rivia. You follow Geralt’s journey that finds him embroiled in a political scheme, a far-reaching war across a great continent, and an infiltration perpetuated by various beasts.
The storytelling in this game is what’s made it so popular, drawing players in from the beginning. Sure, the game features epic battles, but it’s the story and seeing it through to the end that hooks most gamers. It’s an epic adventure where the decisions you make during the game influence the outcome. It’s not only the Witcher 3, but most action role-playing games also rely heavily on stories, and the most successful ones do it masterfully.
Changing How We Tell Stories
As video games have evolved, the focus has changed from cinematic feats that imitate movies to a form of art. The stories have become more profound, covering a range of topics, including the human condition. Many gamers have found they identify with the main characters and their struggles to achieve something great.
When you play as a character for several hours, you begin to see the world from their point of view. The decisions you make could determine whether your character succeeds or falters and your job as a gamer is often to help them find meaning in their struggles.
Optional Dialogue
Unlike movies and books, where the dialogue is set, and you have to follow it if you want to finish the story, video games offer more flexibility. You can skip past cut scenes and dialogues in video games if you want to get to the action. However, if you take the time to explore a game’s story, you’re in for a treat.
