Task 1: My Top Ten Games
- Elder Scrolls: Oblivion/Skyrim * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGzKapvOb_M
- The Last of Us * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWD5W3fpPM
- Ratchet and Clank * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFQKi6AQ1t4
- Fallout 3 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYZpR51XgW0
- Fifa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnTYVT6lwBc
- Bioshock * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmw78t8NgIE
- FTL: Faster Than Light https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ4FRcu_bjs
- Jak 2 Renegade * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl7cr8XDA1o
- Infamous * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-NBsSfxH30
- Binding of Isaac: Rebirth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRXY0J2V0f8
* has great story
Task 2: Games that do not have Stories
- Fifa - You simply play football but there is still some elements of story in game modes. Such as career mode where you take control of managing a club and create your own narrative through gameplay
- Android and IOS games such as Candy Crush, Bejewelled - These games are made to be played in short sessions with constant breaks between them. This means that if the games had an in-depth story that required long play sessions it would be very frustrating for the player. These games are also focused on puzzle gameplay with no conventional video game "characters". Many people play these games because of their ease of access and that they can be played in a person's spare time, on the go.
- MineCraft - Minecraft is a game based around the survival of single player or group. There is no overriding story and the narrative is constructed by the gameplay of the players themselves. This freedom of narrative is one of the main reasons that people play Minecraft, as it allows for almost limitless possibilities and varied play sessions.
Task 3: Difference between video game story and other media
The main difference between video games and film is that in a video game the player actively participates in the narrative. In earlier, more primitive video games, story was told primarily through cutscenes that occurred between gameplay. Now narrative is driven forward through the gameplay, and we see this in games such as The Last of Us which is regarded as one of the greatest games created. This difference between video games and film means that the player feels more closely attached to the experience. This increases the immersion of the consumer, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. It increases the emotions felt by the player and allows them to focus solely on the video game. It also has an effect on controversy surrounding games. This is because in video games the player has an active role in what is happening so some people believe that they therefore assume some of the responsibility of their actions within the video game. This has caused people to speculate that video games can change the way we think by encouraging and us acting out certain behaviour.
Task 4: Linear and Non-Linear Game Line
Linear Game Line: This is where the story of a game follows a set path and does not allow the player to change the order that the story is experienced.
Non-Linear Game Line: This is a game where the player can experience the story in any order they see fit. This usually involves a lot of exploration and freedom. Some examples of these games are The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and Minecraft.
This can heavily impact the story of a game. In a Non-Linear game the player will have more time to interact with the environment and world that the story is set in but it may be more difficult for them to follow a certain storyline. Because of the breaks between story elements the story may become diluted for the player and they may lose track of what has happened. On the other hand if the game is linear the player will very easily be able to follow the main storyline, but they may not be able to immerse themselves into the game world as effectively. Also the lack of freedom in a linear storyline can sometimes be off-putting and an argument could be made for that media being a film rather than a video game. Video games in their essence are interactive and so video games with high levels of freedom such as open world game often enjoy a lot of success. Games like Skyrim, Fallout, Minecraft, the Sims, e.t.c. benefit from being open-ended, so the player can choose to do experience the game as they see fit.
Linear and Non-Linear Story Telling
Linear Narrative - This is narrative that follows the chronological order of a classic story structure. This is from beginning, middle to end.
Non-Linear Narrative - This is when the story structure is broken up, often starting in the middle, (heart of the action) then going back to the beginning and finally on to the end. An example of this would be the game Final Fantasy X where the story starts out very near to the end of the story and then goes back and starts from the beginning.
The way a story is told can have a very big difference on the players investment in the story. Video games that start in the middle of the action often grab the attention of players more than those that start at the beginning.
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