Narrative in Video Games

Article 1:
Narrative in Video Games

by Patrick Holleman 

Holleman discusses the concept of narratology present in Video Games. Not necessarily an opinion article, which means there'll be no or little to no bias on the topic. A neutral source of information is important to an academic article. Holleman hones in on four major factors of narrative in Video Games, "Character', "AI", "Setting" and "Challenge".

General:

To some up: Holleman wants to find the appropriate way to study 'artistic games'.

• "Although today’s videogames use both design elements from traditional games and narrative elements from traditional works of art, they are fundamentally different from what has come before."

Agreed, previous instalments of Video Games; (the Stone Age of Video Games if you will), were hardly considered an art form; their simplicity and lack of story made them a kin to digital tabletop games.

Challenge:

• "The spike in difficulty must not be caused by the appearance of enemies who are unfair or “cheap.” The new challenge must be organic and somewhat familiar, even if it arrives suddenly."
• "Challenge is the final aspect, and perhaps the most idiosyncratic aspect, of how videogames use unique narrative tools."
• "The challenge level across the game must go up and down in sync with the narrative. This may result in sections that are easier than what came before, but this is okay. These are good for "catching your breath," in a figurative sense, as well as introducing new gameplay skills."