That is, the game expects me to find the overall narrative and story in my own time, usually because the story beats have happened already before my character even existed, and I'm trying to find where the current gameplay fits into it, e.g. Some of the most impactful stories I've experienced in games have been more environmental storytelling than plot based. I guess the problem with plot on video games is the sequencing. The plot is nearly a side story, which helps add context to the player actions. The narrative plot and the play actions are almost totally disparate. For example, in Wind Waker you must rescue your sister, but in practice the player is running around an island, breaking pots, and doing sidequests. Video games are metaphorically similar: You may have an interesting plot in the game, but it is punctuated by the actions you get to take as a player.

If there's an narrative at all, it exists simply to help explain the relevance of the facts presented.

A good news story may have something like a narrative, but it's more of a collection of facts. evil, moral decisions, defeats, and victories, etc. Good story generally can't be purely fact-based, since this interrupts the needs of narrative: pacing, good vs. In some sense, it's similar to comparing a good news article to a good story. The plot is effectively: 'You're the chosen undead, and you must quest for some items.' The setting, on the other hand, could fill books. It's possible to force this in a game, but the more you do, the more the game becomes an interactive movie.Ī great example would be Dark Souls: incredible setting, but really bare-bones plot. Video games are interactive, but all good plots require careful pacing and timing in order to be successful. In fact, I'm not sure that video games are actually good vehicles for plots. Many video games have very poor or bare plots, but amazing settings.

Dragon age origins camp