IGN Editorial: Blinded by MARIO

[richardhutnik]

Kasz216 said:

Masakari said:

While a game like Mario succeeds in a lot of ways, if absolutely fails in setting a good story, with worthwhile characters and narrative. It's merely a box for us to interact with a pre-made game world, while having zero impact in it. It doesn't give me anything back except for a fun, entertaining time.

Each media is different, movies adapted from books have great difficulty and vice versa, same as movies based on games and games based on movies. While gaming is in it's relative infancy compared to cinema or literature, i again reinforce the notion that merely making a fun experience, is not the way gaming needs to grow.

That's not really true.

Mario games are the litterary equivlent to something like Beowulf.

I remember back in my day, when arcades matter, we had things called "arcade games".  We also had things called "pinball games" to.  Neither one of these needed "a good story", "worthwhile characters" or a "narrative".  I also have found numerous BOARDGAMES which don't have any of these either.  All these do have GAMEPLAY that is engaging.

People can try to use games as a device for storytelling, if they like.  And that is fine.  HOWEVER, can we at least remember what games ARE before there is a need to feel they have to be superior means of TELLING stories?  In games, as I remember them, you CREATE your own story, if that.  It at least gives you a feeling of accomplishment when playing them, and beating the pre-made world. 

And I disagree with Mario being the "literary equivalent of something like Beowulf".  Mario isn't trying to tell a story.  It is trying to provide people an entertaining experience to PLAY in.

These cry that games must somehow advance storytelling has me having to hide under a desk when I watch WiiFit or Brain Age get fragged for not having stories.  And I hope no one attempts to make a movie based on Tetris.  The Black20 spoof trailer is all I need.