We’re so used to thinking about games in the terms of classic Nintendo games like Mario, Legend of Zelda, or Pokemon. Text based games aren’t everyone’s first idea of a video game. Add to that a video game that specifically isn’t even a narrative and you think what am I making and for who? I’ve been tasked alongside my peers to make a non-fiction interactive story using something called Twine.
What’s in a Game?
Through reading a chapter from Julialicia Case, Eric Freeze, and Salvatore Pane, “Story Mode” I’ve learned about mechanics that go into game development and things you have to consider. (Sadly, because we’re not really making a game game, I won’t be able to apply everything I’ve learned.)
- The type of player you’re writing for can impact the way you decide to structure your game. Different people have different values and motivations. Is your game going to focus on exploration and learning about story details sprinkled throughout? Is you game going to cater to people who want to get a bunch of achievements and have a perfect run? Who’s the audience?
- Audience is still important in relation to my project!
- With the topic we have to consider if we want this to be more informational and serious or fun with facts sprinkled about.
- Perspective is also another factor to consider. Depending on the creative freedoms allowed to a player your game design could be more complex to achieve. Should the pov be a completely custom made character? Do you have players be referred to in the 2nd perspective? What if you decide to create a main character players should relate to and immerse themselves into?
- With perspective our topic is very much directed to the audience member.
- They are the person being addressed especially with our big question of how do you get your news.
- Meaningful choice is perhaps the most important in relation to my task. When a player picks something there needs to be a certain risk to that choice. There should be something to reflect and think upon as you progress more.
- Meaningful choice isn’t that relevant to us.
- There is only one end result, but again to the question mentioned before your answer will inform you about how you get your news.
Applying These Learnings
With the interactive non-fiction that I have to make, I think focusing on meaningful choice is the way to go. The idea that Bailey and I decided on was the switch from traditional news media (radio, newspaper, television) to new news media (social media). You can see my thoughts in the list above how the different elements relate to ur project, but we have a solid game plan of how we plan to approach this project.
Comments
2 responses to “So You’re a Gamer?”
A “non-video game” video game has been pretty hard to wrap my head around. What makes a video game a game. Controllable characters? Gameplay mechanics? Creating a non-fiction narrative that someone can interact with. That someone could feel immersed in. It just feels like an anomaly. It’s true that “text based games aren’t everyone’s first idea of a video game,” but they definitely have a niche. When I think of visual novels, I cannot picture them being non-fiction. I honestly can’t think of one. Even the example used in the reading is entirely fictional. It’s based off a novel, but the events were seemingly written with creative freedoms. How can it not be like that since video games are such a unique medium. Art mimics reality, but video games are so layered. Narrative, music, gameplay, visuals, and interactivity are all part of it.
I’m excited to play your game! This version of gameplay is definitely new for me. Like you said, we are more used to visual games. I grew up playing a lot of computer games, though, and still, even those were visual based. This type of gameplay really reminds me of DND. I’ve only ever played once, but I know a bit a bout it from my cousin who LOVES it. I’d be super interested to play the game (I think it was called 80 or 100 days) that the Case, Freeze, and Pane mentioned. I feel as if I’d get bored of the repetition in this type of game. I guess that is why story is so important. It also ties in meaningful choice. Like you said, we need to craft a story and an option that immerses the reader in potential consequences.