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This topic has moved here: Subject: A video for Bungie and other present/future devs
  • Subject: A video for Bungie and other present/future devs
Subject: A video for Bungie and other present/future devs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj_HstA1ob8

David Jaffe on the integration of storytelling in games.

I already think Bungie implements this concept beautifully (especially in Reach, quality of story notwithstanding), but I still think it's an interesting watch, as a student in Game Development myself.

  • 02.21.2012 2:50 PM PDT

I think he made some good points but I don't agree with all of it.

For instance one of my favorite games of all time is Far Cry 2. There is almost zero plot in that game, but it is fun exclusively via the gameplay mechanics.

However another one of my favorite games of all time is Mass Effect/Mass Effect 2. Those games main selling point is the story. Mass Effect could've been an epic movie trilogy, but it's a video game and a very successful one at that.

All his points about the best games are those that give you the resources to make your own story are valid but BioWare did something special by allowing you to actually input your own decisions into a pre-written, overarching plot and allowing you to tailor certain aspects of the story to fit your Shepard. The Reapers always invade, you always kill Saren, you always "die" and end up working for Cerberus, but other things change from person to person and playthrough to playthrough. So I don't agree with the whole "chocolate and tuna fish" analogy he makes. I think good storytelling and solid gameplay mechanics can me merged successfully, but it's a rare occasion when that happens. I think Mass Effect is the ultimate counter-point to his argument. That being said, I can't think of another game in recent history that did what Mass Effect has done.

  • 02.21.2012 3:25 PM PDT

Awesome, I have always thought David is a very articulate person who has some great wisdom from being in the industry for so long.

  • 02.21.2012 3:31 PM PDT

In a time long past, the armies of the dark came again to the lands of men. Their leaders became known as the fallen lords, and their terrible sorcery was without equal in the west.
In 30 years they reduced the civilized nations into carrion and ash. Until the free city of Madrigal alone defined them. An army gathered there, and a desperate battle was joined against the fallen
Heros were born in the fire and bloodshed of the wars which followed and their names and deeds will never be forgotten

I like games with a good story, no campaign = boring game.

I think Bungie has done a good job of telling a compelling story and some fun game play.

[Edited on 02.21.2012 3:56 PM PST]

  • 02.21.2012 3:52 PM PDT
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Posted by: DEATHPIMP72
Anyone but Foman. He smells like cheese.

I understand why you posted this here, but the fact is that this is a thread about the integration of storytelling in game development generally, not as it specifically applies to Bungie. It's therefore better posted in the Flood Forum; please feel free to repost there.

  • 02.21.2012 4:25 PM PDT