If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Levine, Avellone, and Gaider panel touches on issues with narrative versus interactive gameplay

During PAX, Joystiq held a panel titled Plot vs. Play: The Duality of Modern Game Design. On the importance of story in games, BioWare lead writer David Gaider said that with games, the player is invested in the story where as when watching a film, they are just an observer; therefore, he feels story is important. Obsidian Entertainment's creative director, Chris Avellone, countered that he is not sure whether narrative matters too much when it comes to the gameplay experience. He said many players in the past have come to him saying their favorite moment from a game had more to do with a gameplay element attached to a storyline instead of the overall narrative. Irrational's Ken Levine, also on the panel, said he is much more interested in environmental storytelling than the words he is going to write. It's a rather interesting panel discussion, and you can watch it below. [image]

Cover image for YouTube video

Sign in and unlock a world of features

Get access to commenting, homepage personalisation, newsletters, and more!

Related topics
About the Author
Stephany Nunneley-Jackson avatar

Stephany Nunneley-Jackson

News Editor

Stephany is VG247’s News Editor, with 22 years experience (with 15 of them at VG247). With a brain that lacks adhesive ducks, the ill-tempered, chaotic neutral fembot does her best to bring you the most interesting gaming news. She is also unofficially the site’s Lord of the Rings/Elder Scrolls Editor.

Comments