What is story?
Author
Like Superpig''s post that aims to list the different methods we can use to implement a story, this post wants to find out -the different ways that we can experience / generate stories.
What types are there?
- The story happens at the end of a level, ie. you complete the dungeon, get the magic stick and see a cinematic.
- The story is generated by your actions, (ie. the consequences of your actions and how you affect the game-world)
There are two types of stories: Active and Passive. Active story is the kind found in tetris which you make the desicions. Passive is the story that is found in movies and books which you watch the desicions being made. Most games now a days consist of both active and passive story line. The active story line is the story the player makes as he goes along according to the rules of the game. Passive storyline is the story which is the same each time it is played. Active storyline is more important to games then passive storyline. The more active a game is the more fun it is. Passive storyline should just be there to explain what to do and to reward the player for completing an event. Thats what I believe any ways.
quote:Original post by LtKicker
There are two types of stories: Active and Passive. Active story is the kind found in tetris which you make the desicions. Passive is the story that is found in movies and books which you watch the desicions being made. Most games now a days consist of both active and passive story line. The active story line is the story the player makes as he goes along according to the rules of the game. Passive storyline is the story which is the same each time it is played. Active storyline is more important to games then passive storyline. The more active a game is the more fun it is. Passive storyline should just be there to explain what to do and to reward the player for completing an event. Thats what I believe any ways.
Or, as a great screenwriter once said, "There are only two types of stories. A man goes on a journey, or a stranger comes to town." He may have read too much Homer though.
No, I''d say there are more.
1. You are continually presented with cinematics explaining the plot as you play the game.
2. At the end of a level you are given a cinematic to forward plot.
3. Your actions affect plot directly.
4. Your actions don''t affect the main plot, but some actions affect small parts of the plot such as seen in Deus Ex
and of course there are multiple endings.
Cheers, comrade
Kyle Evans,
Artificial entertainment [Movie/Game Reviews]
Editor In Chief - IGWorld.com
Contact: kyser3152@yahoo.com.au
1. You are continually presented with cinematics explaining the plot as you play the game.
2. At the end of a level you are given a cinematic to forward plot.
3. Your actions affect plot directly.
4. Your actions don''t affect the main plot, but some actions affect small parts of the plot such as seen in Deus Ex
and of course there are multiple endings.
Cheers, comrade
Kyle Evans,
Artificial entertainment [Movie/Game Reviews]
Editor In Chief - IGWorld.com
Contact: kyser3152@yahoo.com.au
Author
Thanks Cypher Ae, are there any more?
good defs. It is interesting to consider how these merge. Maybe another word could be found for Passive, ie. the experienced story, ie. what the player THINKS is the story from what he sees.
Ie. You are playing a game, and come across an obstacle that the 'evil overlord' seems to have deliberately put in your way. But this is really just a good piece of level design by the designer made to give this impression, the game AI overlord character hasn't REALLY created it.
So the active story is that you come to an obstacle, experiment with it and then overcome it.
But the "passive" storyline is that you have overcome something that the overlord deliberately put there to thwart you.
But, what happens to this if games feature characters that constantly interact with you?
Ie. There is an AI driven enemy mastermind (or friend) that tries to hinder / help you throughout the game.
[edited by - Ketchaval on July 10, 2003 7:25:35 AM]
quote:Original post by LtKicker
The active story line is the story the player makes as he goes along according to the rules of the game. Passive storyline is the story which is the same each time it is played
good defs. It is interesting to consider how these merge. Maybe another word could be found for Passive, ie. the experienced story, ie. what the player THINKS is the story from what he sees.
Ie. You are playing a game, and come across an obstacle that the 'evil overlord' seems to have deliberately put in your way. But this is really just a good piece of level design by the designer made to give this impression, the game AI overlord character hasn't REALLY created it.
So the active story is that you come to an obstacle, experiment with it and then overcome it.
But the "passive" storyline is that you have overcome something that the overlord deliberately put there to thwart you.
But, what happens to this if games feature characters that constantly interact with you?
Ie. There is an AI driven enemy mastermind (or friend) that tries to hinder / help you throughout the game.
[edited by - Ketchaval on July 10, 2003 7:25:35 AM]
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