BioShock, Tomb Raider writer calls for 'thoughtful and complex' game stories

I don't understand these kinds of people. Believe me, I want really diverse stories as much as they do (if not more), especially where minorities of all kinds are truly represented, not just people of the majority. Why don't they go to the indie scene, where I'm sure they'll do more successfully at least than people who are just starting off or who aren't as well known throughout the whole games industry? That's where the real creative juices can start flowing again. A sort of avante garde movement for games (if anyone's willing to go that far).

"Something needs to be done, but I don't want to be a part of it."  Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Susan.

Storytelling hasn't come as far as many people otherwise may think it did. You'd think by now that we'd see many stories that are about minorities, not just constantly about the white, heterosexual male, or, if it's a take on feminism, it's about a white heterosexual woman (as opposed to a black, asian, bi-sexual, homosexual female, etc.). What would leaders like Malcolm X or MLK Jr. think of the way our society is run today and how our media has "changed"? They both would probably not be so impressed with us. So, we have a long way to go to combat discrimination/prejudice in our society (and in the media, of course). 

BTW, this is coming from a white, heterosexual male, in case you thought otherwise.

Stories are good, but not at the cost of gameplay flexibility or replayability. I prefer when everything is told in-game, which unfortunately means stories can't go as deep as the writer would want.

Heavy Rain was a nice experience, but it's not something I would call a good video game. So good riddance, try movies or books, those platforms don't require any user input.

I kind of feel where she's coming from, but I'm feeling conflicted about agreeing with someone so rude and arrogant...

Yo Ed, way to go on the Breaking Bad spoiler alert. I've seen every episode and am up-to-date but not everyone is so good lookin'.

Her example is bad. Walt strangled that guy. That guy was a drug dealer and a bad person, not to mention he fucking stabbed walt with a piece of glass or something. The choice was clear from the beginning, he couldn't let that guy go free. If he did, he wouldn't let go the fact that his friend/cousin got killed. So it's really not a fucking dilemma at all unless you are so incredibly stupid that you lack basic survival instincts.

So "I'm the only one who does things right, wah" "I'm quitting." Sounds like every job.

This dumb bitch should just leave the gaming industry. Gaming isn't always supposed to be about elaborate stories. She doesn't know a clue about the gaming industry yet she has worked in for years. Bye bye Susie

Allright then. bye. 

YES.

I think people should make what they want to make, as long as they don't flop afterwards. If the market calls for story-driven games, that's what will occur, but if it calls for shoot'em'ups with little story, say bye to her vision. Devs unfortunately cannot just put in millions into a small niche market or else they would crash.

I personally think there's a current good enough variety of games, so whether you want story or action, you have the choice to make.

I challenge Ms O'Connor to remove her self-imposed constraints and write the game she believes in. It's not the industry dictating to her what she can and cannot do, it's her own limitations that keep it from happening. Throwing brickbats on your way out the door is cowardly and classless.

Good leave.  Bugs me when anyone CALLS ON an industry to do anything, like she some how knows better than everyone else, and she's just too 'enlightened' to stick around with all the half wits in the industry.

I'll agree that video games need deeper, more mature story-telling.

At the same time, I feel video games are a long way from their "Watchmen" and when a developer tries to make a game "art" they usually end up making a mess. 

Tomb Raider was basically freaking out over killing someone once, then you're a killing machine. Basically Far Cry 3.

art has nothing to do with talent.

Yes, definitely;)

yeah, she also thinks her fart smells nice!! I agree with the point she's trying to make though :D

Publishers will limit the story of a game in many respects so she will not have full preorgative which is why it must be frustrating. 

Time to go write screenplays, for Movies and television. Write a book or two. Your a writer in a industry that doesn't play to your strengths. Videogames will always be "mindless" fun. That is what videogames are supposed to be. Not art, nor exploring serious issues. Just entertainment excapist fun. She should change industries, When it no longer is fullfilling then it is tell to move on.

If Far Cry was the best story she can write within the limits she is given then she needs to find somewhere with new limits. Maybe do an RPG, you know those games where decisons have impact? Walking Dead, I Am Alive, early Mass Effect, Metro all smash Far Cry's derivative, inconsequential plot.

I like this lady mostly because she swears a lot and doesn't look like the type of person who would.  

1). Go to Amazon

2). Check bestselling 100 books

How many books with a quality narrative do you see? Most of it is teeny romantic fiction for single moms and regurgitated crime fiction.

why? Because stupid shit sells. We know this. We allow this - but not when it comes to games. The games industry, as opposed to the book industry, is very tough on itself regarding narrative quality because we're a new medium and has to prove ourselves. Shouldn't we hold books to the same standards? 

i care for tidus, yuna , john marlston, shepard, geralt ...

We need more variety, that's the main issue games have. Stupid entertainment needs to exist as much as immersive storytelling. There should be a wide spectrum of game experiences, something for everyone. That doesn't mean that companies should make games that are meant to suit everyone, because then we only get bland mixtures. 

I love how games can be like books in that they contain lots of dialogue and written text that tells a story, but also how they can tell a story through visuals, like the way movies do. Although games can also be like a "choose-your-own-adventure" book, in that the story isn't the same each time you play. That makes it different from movies and books where the same thing happens everytime. Books and movies therefore lack that particular kind of replay value (or re-read/re-watch value in the case of books and movies) that games have, where the experience isn't the same each time.

Games can also get away without much story, because they are interactive and that feature is something that no other medium has. So, games can use the way both books and movies tell their stories, but also add something that is unique to their medium. That's why I prefer games over books and movies, because the potential for a long, interesting story is much greater when *you* are the one experiencing it. Deus Ex 1, KotOR 1 and 2, Vampire: the Masquerade: Bloodlines and The Witcher all have a great story together with great gameplay. There is no need for story to be at the expense of gameplay.

The industry needs less half ass stories. FPS games (read: cod, bf etc) shouldnt bother with a storyline. they end up paying how much with how much return on that? I imagine the number of people paying for COD aren't thinking "oh sweet i get to play the storyline!" its just something they do out of hatred and frustration while they wait for the storm that knocked out their internet to pass.

tl;dr :
stop putting very little effort into storylines. either dive in, or don't go to the pool at all.

So she wrote Bioshock? She just cut and pasted System Shock 2's story. As for Tomb Raider I haven't played it, but I'm sure the story is nothing spectacular.  

I give up on commenting on the article since I can't decide what her complaint is. I just want to say how awesome it was reading other Gamespoters' comments.

Depends, but good stories are very important imo

Yes! More complex stories are needed!

Good luck with movies, seeing how they are running out of ideas and taking from video games. I guess the only way to really be as creative as you want is to just become independent as you can. That's really a big problem with society. You know, the whole control thing.

Blame the casuals and publishers tryin to appeal to them

Oh good god. No no no! Video games need to move away from elaborate, cinematic stories. Not ALL should, but most should. I hate playing a video game thats main concern is making sure I'm focused on the story. Elements (QTEs anyone?) built around the story. Long drawn out cutscenes that have me watching the story rather than playing a video game. Screw the player, there is a STORY to be told!