Games don't need stories.

[richardhutnik]

Johann said:
You're right. Not all games need stories.

Hell, not all movies need stories either. Look at Eraserhead.

But the fact that we created genres that are based on narrative shouldn't make anyone sad or mad. It's more variety. Video games could always use more variety.

Do you also hate choose your own story adventure books?

It isn't a case of myself hating them.  I like games that tell stories, and I have an interest in the use of games for this purpose.  However, I believe that a greatness of game doesn't come from the narrative applied on the game by the designer, but the narrative players can come up with from playing it.   I would say it is also a very rare person who excels at both creating systems (games are this) that interactive with players, and narratives that are compelling.

In regards to the need for a backstory (separate post), I don't see the backstory for a game like Civlization, which I consider one of the best games ever made.  The game generates a very rich narrative when playing, but it is dynamically generated.