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 →