A) Select one example to outline the key concepts of the interactive narrative genre.
Interactive narrative can be defined as an experience in which users influence a storyline through the ability of choice. Their actions/choices determine the direction of the story and every choice has a unique set of consequences. This type of narrative, if done right, can be extremely immersive as it puts the user on what seems to be a higher level of “importance” within the world created by the author – their choices can lead to a different outcome for the path supposedly destined (or seemingly so at the time) within that specific world. Unlike real life, interactive narrative carries an element of predetermination and control. Despite the choices you may make, you know the outcome will be one of x amounts within a story and this control is a sweet escape in a gripping, fictional world opposed to the uncertainty real life offers.
(Enemy of Chaos, 2009)
Knowing the gist of this genre, I came across a CYOA book called “Enemy of Chaos” by Leila Johnston. What intrigued me about this book was how, in a cleverly humourous way, it engages the 70s/80s RPG adult and brings them back to a modern version of what once was their actual childhood. “…you’re grown up now, you’ve got bills to worry about and it’s clear your adventuring days are over. Or are they? What if the world needed your dice-rolling skills one last time?…” Taken from the synopsis of the book, I think this quote perfectly examples the essence of this genre as it fulfills the immersion. Having made the targeted audience clear (that being those that grew up in the RPG boom) it entices the reader to engross themselves in fantasy once more but in a more adult way.
B) Does the interactive narrative still have a role to play in video games today. Give exemplary examples?
Interactive narrative games have always existed whether apparent and popular like in the 80s or like a CYOA book found in your local library, they have always been around, digital or not. For a while, it seemed that the majority of modern day games were becoming same-old same-old, such as the endless releases of your CODs, your FIFAs and your GTAs. For a time, many companies in the industry wanted to pump out games for the sake of pumping in the money and as fun as it initially is running around stealing cars and pushing old ladies to the ground, the true essence of a good, unique game was lost. So in order to spice things up and create necessary breaks in the continuous money-pumping machine, clever companies have been recycling styles and genres of games and the implementation of interactive narrative is one of them.
(TellTale Games, “The Walking Dead”, 2012)
A great, current example of this can be seen with games such as Telltale Games’ “The Walking Dead Series”. The player’s choices (through actions and dialogue) can lead to a change in the character’s circumstance, whether or not other characters live or die and the character’s relationships with other characters all the while being executed in a modern, digital and sophisticated art style. The effects of this leads to a more genuine and emotional connection between player, character and story line and it is this deeper connection which is essential in building a relationship between game and consumer. This in turn keeps interactive narrative a current, relevant and beautiful genre which will no doubt always have a place in the games industry.
References
Enemy Of Chaos by Leila Johnston . 2017. Enemy Of Chaos by Leila Johnston . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6840086-enemy-of-chaos. [Accessed 24 October 2017].
Bibliography
Boing Boing. 2017. Enemy of Chaos: hilarious modern choose-your-own-adventure novel / Boing Boing. [ONLINE] Available at: https://boingboing.net/2009/09/15/enemy-of-chaos-hilar.html. [Accessed 24 October 2017].
Enemy Of Chaos by Leila Johnston . 2017. Enemy Of Chaos by Leila Johnston . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6840086-enemy-of-chaos. [Accessed 24 October 2017].
5 Games that Redefined Interactive Storytelling | Slide 4. 2017. 5 Games that Redefined Interactive Storytelling | Slide 4. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.gameskinny.com/hju3x/5-games-that-redefined-interactive-storytelling/4. [Accessed 24 October 2017].
Giant Bomb. 2017. The Walking Dead (Game) – Giant Bomb . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.giantbomb.com/the-walking-dead/3030-34205/. [Accessed 24 October 2017].
PCMag. 2017. The Top 10 Interactive Games for Story Lovers | PCMag.com. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.pcmag.com/feature/317795/the-top-10-interactive-games-for-story-lovers. [Accessed 24 October24 October 2017].
The Telegraph. 2017. The best video games of 2017 (so far). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/guides/best-video-games-2017/. [Accessed 24 October 2017].