DST_GAMES

games narrative

as

FORMS

University of Padova - ICT for internet and Multimedia

PLAYER 1.VANNESA CIFUENTESPLAYER 2.ROSE MARY BAWM

START

CONTENTS

VIDEOGAMES AS NARRATIVE FORMS

11.

06.

01.

future of Storytelling

Players into Story tellers

Power of Stories

12.

02.

VR/AI

History

07.

Impact of Videogames

13.

08.

03.

NETFLIX

Advantages

How are stories told?

14.

09.

04.

Conclusions

What a player wants?

Narrative forms

15.

10.

05.

End

Storytelling influencing purchases

Affective Play

The power of Stories

A little bit of context

Stories are a driving force in human history, have inspired exploration, conquered challenges, and influenced various aspects of culture. Video games mark a revolutionary leap in storytelling, offering an interactive experience where players actively shape the narrative through choices.

RPGs and Storytelling

The Early days

In the early days, video game storytelling was rudimentary due to hardware limitations.

• Adventure (1979)
• Donkey Kong" (1981)

Role-playing games like "Final Fantasy" (1987) and "The Legend of Zelda" (1986) blended storytelling with gameplay, adding depth and character development.

Adventure games

What's next?

The introduction of new mediums, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, adds further dimensions to interactive narratives.

In the 1980s, adventure games like "King's Quest" (1984) by Sierra On-Line introduced more elaborate narratives and interactive storytelling.

How are stories told?

The Hero's Journey:A contribution by Joseph Campbell.

• The Departure.
• Initiation
• The Return.
• Fredom to live

Video games engage players with a unique approach to storytelling, weaving narratives through videos, animations, dialogues, and player actions. The fusion of these elements creates a rich narrative that sets video game storytelling apart.

"Cyberdrama" where the audience actively influences the narrative's trajectory.

- Janet H. Murray

Narrative Forms

in video games

OPEN ENDED

LINEAR

BRANCH

Data

Players have the freedom to explore and create their own stories. Often featured in open-world or sandbox games, this narrative style allows for emergent storytelling based on player actions and decisions.

Players make decisions that lead to multiple story paths and various endings, enhancing player agency and engagement. This narrative style is prevalent in games that prioritize player choices.

Data

Video games follow a predetermined, fixed storyline. Players progress through the game with a set sequence of events, commonly found in story-driven games with a strong emphasis on plot.

Data

Affective Play

Researchers analyze the impact of game design, narrative elements, and interactive features on affective play, emphasizing the emotional and experiential aspects of gaming.

Data

Life is Strange: It's affective with its emotional narrative, time-manipulating gameplay, and relatable characters. Choices drive a powerful, resonant story, engaging players on an emotional journey

Call of Duty: Explores political ethics, sparking real-world discussions. Through its narrative and choices, the game serves as a tool for engaging players in thoughtful reflection on complex societal issues.

Data

Data

The Last of Us: Players become attached to the characters, making the story's events even more impactful. This game, challenges players to reflect on themes of survival, morality, and the human condition through storytelling.

The Witcher: It captivates with rich storytelling, compelling characters, and moral ambiguity. Its immersive world elicits strong emotional responses, creating a deeply affective gaming experience

Data

But first...

WHAT MAKES A GAMe AFFECTIVE?

• Emotional Engagement

• Immersion

• Reflection and Empathy

• Interactivity

• Identification with Characters

Study cases

Players into Storytellers

David Cage

Video

Game designer David Cage allows you do just that in his video games, where players make decisions that shape an ever-changing plot. In a talk and live demo, Cage presents a scene from his new project, letting the audience control a character's decisions. "Interactive storytelling can be what cinema was in the 20th century: an art that deeply changes its time," - Cage says.

Impact of Videogames

In essence, video games not only offer entertainment but also serve as powerful tools for cognitive development, enhancing critical thinking, focus, and immersive storytelling experiences. The active participation of players in shaping narratives contributes to a unique and impactful form of storytelling.

Focus & Concentration

Awarness & observation

Information & Problem solving

Gaming enhances real-world situational awareness by sharpening players' senses.

Fast-paced gaming hones problem-solving, fostering effective leadership in group projects.

Gaming focus aids task completion; boosts academic concentration.

Suspended Sense of Self

Immersion and Replayability

Interactive Exploration

Players immerse, suspending self to actively engage in the narrative, facilitating lesson retention.

Unrivaled immersion lets players actively engage in the story, while replayability enriches the narrative exploration.

Games offer interactive narrative, where player choices deeply impact engagement and surpass passive media.

Advantages of Videogames

AS NARRATIVE FORMS

Dynamic gameplay in action, stealth, and survival genres heightens concentration, dedication, and memory. Players' commitment extends to academic excellence, proving a positive impact on overall cognitive function.

Video games rival traditional media in storytelling, providing interactive narratives, decision-making that shapes outcomes, and an unparalleled level of immersion. Replayability encourages exploration, fostering deep engagement and active participation in the evolving narrative.

Engaging video game narratives sharpen critical thinking—players master attentiveness, rapid problem-solving, and showcase leadership skills, evident in effective group project collaboration.

Enhanced Critical thinking

Improved focus and Core concentration

Rich Influence in Storytelling

What Players want?

http://www.storytellingforgames.com/html/SupplementalMaterial.html

PREFERENCES

What other factors make the difference?

• Characters and settings emerge as major attractions
• The overall plot takes a backseat, often intertwined with characters and settings.
• Initial interest piqued by unique settings and premises.
• Continued interest depends on gameplay and story progression.

Story Preferences

Story Significance

Gamer prefers games with strong stories, but embrace both narratives and story-less games; highlight on the negative impact of poorly executed stories.

Gaming recognizes storytelling's importance; no consensus on the supremacy of story or gameplay.

Storytelling influencing purchases

Player-Driven Storytelling

Traditional Storytelling:

• Interest in player-driven storytelling, but not a primary factor in game purchases.
• Dominance of interactive traditional storytelling in game purchases.
• Reputation, content, and theme weigh more heavily than player control in influencing sales.

• Traditional stories (structured and least player-driven) are most popular.
• Positive reception for multiple endings and branching paths.
• Low interest in highly player-driven stories challenges assumptions.

Storytelling influencing purchases

http://www.storytellingforgames.com/html/SupplementalMaterial.html

Gamers prefer interactive traditional Stories, with strong actual preference over stated. Storytelling significantly influences purchases, challenging pre-purchase assessment. Well-known developers and unique plots guide decisions: Player-diven storytelling attracts interest but isn't decisive.

The Verdict

Future of Game Storytelling

Impact of Technology

on the future of videogames

Immersive Narratives: VR transports to virtual worlds; AR enriches the real world with digital elements; heightened immersion enhances engagement.

Player Agency: Enhanced player agency; active choices influence dynamic, personalized narratives with branching paths.

Environmental Storytelling: Game world as a narrative tool; story unfolds through exploration; players fully inhabit characters, enhancing emotional connection.

Immersive VR and AI-driven narratives elevate emotional engagement, offering innovative experiences blending virtual and physical realms.

New Narrative Structures: Ideal for crafting rich game worlds; immersion enhances authenticity; AR introduces storytelling into the real world.

Impact of Technology

on the future of videogames

Cross-Media Adaptations: "The Witcher" broadens game narratives; Netflix-game synergy; narrative complexity influence in gaming.

Production Quality: Sets storytelling standard; impacts game cutscenes, voice acting, and character development.

Original Content Creation: Netflix inspires game devs in interactive storytelling; "Bandersnatch" explores player agency.

Netflix reshapes interactive movies, engaging audiences in narrative choices. It parallels AI's role in dynamic storytelling, both transforming entertainment experiences with user agency.

Impact on Visual Style:Netflix's visual style influences game aesthetics; encourages designers for more engaging narratives.

The Transformative Power and Ultimate Evolution of Storytelling in Gaming Industry

Dynamic transformation of any storytelling reshape gaming narratives across adaptations, innovation, and quality. It also impact narrative influences for player’s moral choices, inspires personal growth, and fosters empathy. As a paramount factor in enhancing player engagement video games act as a canvas for creative expression, defining the success and uniqueness of storytelling experiences.

thanks for your attention!

...and keep playing :)