Feature: 'Soapbox: Active Storytelling In Games'

In today's main Gamasutra feature, game designer/writer Rafael Chandler of Red Storm Entertainment gets on the Soapbox to bring light to the past, present, and potential future of video game narrative, paying particular attention to interactivity and contextualization. Chandler starts his Soapbox by commenting: "Disclaimer: I speak for myself, and kind of as a customer (not so much as a developer)", and continues by suggesting: "I've been doing a lot of reading about storytelling in games, about compelling narrative. However, I find myself wondering if this is really the correct vocabulary for the next stage of video game development. Is it worthwhile to tell a story with a game? Can it even be done? Ultimately, I believe the point may be completely moot, because games are interactive, not passive. Which is to say, when you read a book or watch a movie, you are, in a way, a passive recipient of the creator's storytelling. You can turn the page prematurely, or pause the DVD, but generally, you experience the story elements of a novel or movie the same way as any other passive audience member. Games are not a passive medium, as they require player interaction. Consequently, no two players will have identical experiences (or stories to tell afterwards). I don't think we're going to get where we're headed by employing techniques of passive media in our games. In fact, I believe that we are on the cusp of a tipping point for video game development, in which we are just beginning to explore the possibilities that our nonlinear, interactive medium affords us, in terms of player experience and contextualization." You can now read Chandler's full Soapbox on the subject (no registration required, please feel free to link to the article from external websites).