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Video Game Design Composition
A story illustrates a series of events that describe the process of a character
resolving a problem or conflict. The plot is the plan or map for the story. It is
total sequence of events needed to get to the final resolution.
Not every game tells a story. Think about early arcade games, like Pong and
Break Out. These games were able to entertain without an underlying storyline.
The gameplay alone was able to carry the game to success.
As games advanced, the need to differentiate between similar game actions
led to the inclusion of a story. One of the first to add a simple story was the
original Donkey Kong. Mario was motivated to rescue Princess Peach from
Donkey Kong. It was a simple story, but allowed the player to connect to the
gameplay and player motivation.
Today, some games still do not need a story for the player to connect to the
game. Sports games usually do not have a story. However, most games must
have a story for the player to connect to the game. A role-playing game (RPG),
for example, depends on a story to motivate the player to undertake quests and
seek higher player status.
In general, a story should be added to a game for one of five reasons:
• add entertainment to the game
• define the audience
• keep player attention
• differentiate the game
• integrate with marketing
Adding a story to the game should fit within the gameplay and add to the
entertainment. Adding a thin and poorly developed story to a game will not
make it a success. Game designers must properly apply a story to a game when
appropriate. It is important to keep in mind that you should always be looking
for things that will be fun for the player. If that thing is a story inside the game,
then give the player a great story with interesting characters.
Add Entertainment to the Game
A story that allows the player to feel a sense of progression as problems are
solved through gameplay adds to the entertainment value of the game. Without
this progression, the gameplay may seem repetitive or meaningless without the
need to make it to the end. Often, the story continues throughout a series of games.
Think of the story of Altair in Assassin’s Creed or Jack in BioShock, as shown in
Figure 3-1. The stories in these games are an integral part of the gameplay.
Define the Audience
In some cases, the story is needed to make the gameplay appealing to a
specific audience of players. Younger players may be attracted to the simple
gameplay of a platform game. An older audience may need the game to have a
strong story so they can connect with the player character. Also, the intensity
and content of the story help determine the game rating. Games with mature
stories will receive ratings like teen (T), mature (M), or adult only (AO). This
helps define for whom the game is designed.
To Add or Not to Add a Story