What does the machine control in a game? Well, besides nearly everything? Just like the operator (or player) the functions of the machine (or gaming engine/programming) can be split into two categories: diegetic and non-diegetic. Using Rimworld as an example again, a diegetic action for the machine is the interface or perceivable actions that are not … Continue reading The Machine
Category: Gaming Elements
Music in Games
There's something great about original soundtracks for games and movies. As we find in The Silent Place, a horror film where sound isn't just for jump scares but a major component for the film's premise, sound is extremely important for visual works. The soundtrack for Mad Max: Fury Road sets a completely different mood than How to Train … Continue reading Music in Games
Integral Story as DLC: A Bioware Criticism
This might not be a tactic only used by Bioware, but they’re the one that use it the most notoriously as a AAA gaming developer. The original purpose of downloadable content was to add extra content to a story and milk a little extra money out of a game that’s already been released. Some DLC … Continue reading Integral Story as DLC: A Bioware Criticism
A Look at Turn Based RPG Storytelling
In this, I’m going to talk about two games: Fire Emblem: Awakening and The Banner Saga. While a lot of the comparisons I’ll go on to make can be chalked up to being developed in an established game developing company in a well defined series that’s taken its time to find the right formula for a fun game and the other … Continue reading A Look at Turn Based RPG Storytelling
Stories in Simulation Games
The open-endedness of a simulation game is one of endless entertainment, but there is an argument to be made that the kind of entertainment it provides is less substantial in its base form when compared to role playing games. I'm going to dispute that. The only story in simulations is the story you give it, … Continue reading Stories in Simulation Games
The Role and Place of Violence in Video Games
Most games that play through the perspective of a sentient being will land in a category of violence as game play. There are a few exceptions, but those games are often dismissed as not being “real” games with enough challenge to them. Once you figure out the cause and effect of a visual novel – … Continue reading The Role and Place of Violence in Video Games
Storytelling in Games and Novels
When you look at the parts that make up the storytelling in published novels, the imaginative narratives in collaborative storytelling tabletop games, and story focused video games, there's not too much of an inherent difference between the three aside from medium. While tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder are more like video games … Continue reading Storytelling in Games and Novels
Video Games Deconstructed 