Narrative and Games

Narrative in games is quite important to the game and the industry. Narrative can be used to draw players in and to create a sequel of the game in order to expand upon the original game. Game developers have used different solutions with the narrative of games, changing the player experience in a way to give the player to make choices of their own that will affect the narrative. An example of a company that uses these methods is Bioware and their games such as Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3, and Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2. In these games the player when interacting with another character or gameplay, the player is presented with number of choices with will change the affects of the narrative and gameplay.

Notes on narrative:

• The narrative does not have to be in the game itself but can be shown in the levels or cutscenes.

• Games can weave the narrative into gameplay.

• Other games will give the player total control of the narrative such as Electronic Arts The Sims, the player will control their characters giving them limitless ways to change the narrative and how the game flows.