Videogames: Taking cues from the world of movies

[amp316]

happydolphin said:

amp316 said:

Most otf them were too long.  The problem with most "cinematic games" though is the writing.  The script writers for video games usually aren't very good and if they were better, they would be working in another medium (novels, movies, television, etc.)  While I welcome a game with a great story, they are few and far between.

I do think that Mario has taken some cues from silent films (Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd). 

I totally agree with your bolded statement. I really wonder what's slowing talent down in the games industry, is it due to business constraints, status quo and/or confused/ignorant gamer expectations? Also, why switch to another medium if you have talent in storytelling, is it because games are not adequate as a creative outlet in that respect?

Regarding Mario, do you think it can do better? If you were to compare Charlie Chaplin to Mario, which would you say executed the quirks better? Would you say there is breathing room for Mario to improve in that respect? Apart from the fantastic visuals and gameplay, I'm talking on a level of art.

I think that part of the problem with the storytelling is what the writer think the gamers expectations are.  One of the main problems is that they think that all of the leads need to be a brawny character like Marcus Fenix.  This isn't a knock on Marcus, I was just using him as an example.  Not every game has to feature a macho bad ass that's built like a moose.  Maybe there could be a game featuring a nerdy scientist that can figure out how to save the world by using his wits and never pick up a weapon or kill anyone.  This is the type of idea that an excellent game could be built around and I'm sure someone would buy it.  I think that the reason that talented writers aren't working in gaming is because most young writers don't aspire to write the greatest video game story ever.  Maybe that will change now that the younger generations are now brought up on video games that tell stories.  It's possible.

I think that Mario could definitely take cues from something like Chaplin or even Tom and Jerry and play up the slapstick humor or movements of the old silent movie actors.  That sort of things entertains me.