Storytelling in video games

                                                                         

We all float down here.” This one line is enough to remind you of the atrocities committed by the grotesque sewer-clown Pennywise, lurking in the shadows with his polished red balloon. Somehow, this vicious character makes you think about all that you fear. Upon hearing the quote “life is like a box of chocolates”, you find yourself recollecting the timid and uncomplicated demeanor of the beloved Forrest Gump - who as a character is so simple, but his optimistic view of the world is enough to leave an impact on yours. Two clicks and a choir of voices erupts with harmonic intensity. Suddenly you are pushed into a realm of war and brutality, the familiar suit of master chief glistening under the sun of an alien world. All three of these media are effective in communicating a story, but there's something that makes a video game so distinct in its approach. So whip out your best controllers, it's time to uncover the secrets of this wonderful world of entertainment.

 

While reading a book you construct the scene in your imagination; while watching a movie you are shown a visual representation of the location; but while playing a game, not only are you presented with the location, you are also gifted with the ability to explore the same. Level design and environmental storytelling are concepts that are only possible in the realm of video games. Notes, voice messages, books, and item descriptions are all familiar methods in which a game chooses to unveil its story. However, most games tend to get creative with how they reveal information to the player.

 

Let’s use the game ‘Portal’ as an example. You start in a laboratory with a sentient robotic voice guiding you through puzzles and dangerous rooms. As you progress, you’re presented with conflicting information. Writings on the walls of secluded corners hint at the insanity of this A.I., and as a player you can either interpret this information as truth or the scribblings of a madman. As one progresses even further, a creeping sense of isolation slowly starts to build up. Sterile white rooms with glass decks for observation are present in every chamber, yet you don't find any people bustling about in these spaces. These are the puzzle pieces that form the adventure. The game gives full control to the player when it comes to interpreting and theorizing about the story.

Every medium of storytelling has some form of conflict involved. Video games turn conflict into action for a player to enjoy. The endless roster of characters inhabiting their worlds are controlled by the player. No longer do you watch from the sidelines, now you're the one responsible for administering that final blow. Complete involvement in the actions and decisions made by a character allows for more amusement, almost bridging the gap between reality and fiction, and allowing the illusion of a ‘real world’ to remain unbroken. Miscalculations made by the player act as opportunities for learning, allowing them to improve their skill and abilities for later instance in the game. For as long as one's fingers rest on the control buttons, the character and the player are one being.

 

This idea is best emphasized by the immensely popular role playing game ‘Undertale’. Every decision you make  in this game  is remembered by its friendly cast of characters, and if you choose to be ill-mannered, the cast is more than happy to switch to a more sinister tone. Will you go down the peaceful route and enjoy the nuances of this digital world or will you pick up a knife and choose to wreak havoc? Would you want a story to embody shades of gray or would you prefer a black and white approach?

 

At the end of the day, each medium has its own method of telling a story, with its own set of pros and cons. To ensure effective storytelling in a video game, a lot of requirements need to be met - the graphics need to be of adequate quality to make the world all the more believable and breathtaking to look at; the gameplay should be fun, engaging, and varied to keep a player on the edge of their seat at all times; the voice work and animation should breathe life into the characters on screen. There are a lot of technical elements that need to be kept under check too, like framerate, rendering, servers, and much, much more.

The process of game design is a very tedious and time consuming project that requires every element to be of utmost perfection. But when all those pieces click into place, the result is an experience like no other.

~Dyuvan D M - A Level