creating a consistent gaming experience
Author of the article: Daria Rimarovich
At GameDev since 2018. Specializes in narrative in mobile games.
Hello, dear video game fans, developers, my fellow narrative designers, and anyone who has ever wondered how immersive game worlds are created! Today we'll take you on an exciting journey through the world of narrative design and gameplay, revealing the secrets to creating a cohesive and memorable gaming experience.
In a world where video games are becoming more complex and varied, the importance of balancing narrative and gameplay has never been greater. Probably every video game developer has faced this eternal dilemma: how to make the story and gameplay complement each other rather than conflict? This balance is the key to creating unforgettable gaming experiences that leave an indelible mark on players.
Gameplay and narrative are two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, we have a narrative that guides the player through the story, immersing him in the world of the game and motivating him to move forward. On the other hand, the gameplay provides mechanics and challenges that make this path interesting and challenging. When these elements work together, they create the magic that defines the most successful and beloved games. But how to achieve this agreement?
Let's explore how gameplay and narrative interact to influence how players experience a game, and explore what strategies and approaches can help developers strike the perfect balance between these key aspects.
How gameplay and story affect players' perception of the game
Gameplay and narrative play a critical role in how players perceive and enjoy video games. Together they create an emotional and intellectual experience that can captivate or frustrate the player. Let's look at how these two aspects interact to influence the gaming experience, and give examples where an imbalance between them leads to what is called ludo-narrative dissonance.
Interaction of gameplay and narrative
Gameplay is what the player does: run, jump, fight, explore. Narrative provides context for these actions, explaining why the player should do something and how it fits into the larger picture of the game world. When gameplay and narrative work together harmoniously, they enhance each other, creating deep immersion and emotional involvement.
Theoretical basis
An overview of the concepts of interaction between narrative and gameplay
The interaction of narrative and gameplay is not simply a combination of story and game mechanics. It's a complex process in which every element of the game, from plot twists to gameplay challenges, contributes to creating a holistic and immersive experience. Let's look at two key concepts behind this interaction:
Mechanical Integration. Gameplay mechanics should flow naturally into the narrative, supporting and expanding the plot. For example, in “The Last of Us» The stealth mechanics and limited resources not only add tension, but also highlight the danger and hopelessness of the game's world.
Games like “Life is Strange»explore possibilities emotional interaction, giving players the ability to influence the plot and relationships between characters through choices. These choices not only lead to a branching narrative, but also provoke deep emotional reactions, making players complicit in the fate of the characters. IN “Life is Strange»every decision, even seemingly small ones, can have far-reaching consequences, forcing players to weigh their actions and reflecting the real-life complexity of moral choices.
Contextualization in the modern video game industry
In the modern video game industry, narrative and gameplay not only complement but also define each other across a wide range of genres and platforms. Let's take a look at how this dynamic evolved and how it manifests itself in today's games:
Genre diversity. Modern games offer a huge variety of genres, each with unique demands on the balance between narrative and gameplay. For example, in RPG (role-playing games) like “Witcher 3: Wild Hunt» A deep narrative is combined with rich game mechanics, allowing players to explore a complex world and interact with its inhabitants.
Technological progress. The development of technologies such as VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) opens up new opportunities for the integration of narrative and gameplay. Games like “Half-Life: Alyx» demonstrate how VR can enhance immersion by making every player action part of a narrative.
Illustrative examples from games
“Dark Souls» series. These games are famous for their way of telling a story through the world and environment. The gameplay, characterized by high difficulty and the need to learn from one's mistakes, perfectly complements the dark and mysterious narrative, asking players to gradually uncover the secrets of a destroyed world.
“Detroit: Become Human». The game uses the player's choices to drive the narrative, demonstrating how different decisions can lead to different story outcomes. This is an example of how gameplay and narrative can be closely intertwined, giving the player a key role in the development of the story.
Player psychology
Perception of narrative and gameplay by different types of players
Understanding player psychology is critical for developers looking to create games that resonate deeply with their audience. Players approach video games with different expectations and preferences, which directly influences how they experience narrative and gameplay.
Researchers find pleasure in exploring the game world, its history and secrets. For them, the depth of the narrative and the freedom to explore the game world are key.
Achievers motivated by achievements within the game, be it completing difficult tasks or collecting all the rewards. They value a narrative that rewards their efforts and integrates with game mechanics to highlight their successes.
Socializers (socialists) looking for interaction with other players and game characters. Stories that focus on relationships and teamwork are especially important to them, as are mechanics that support co-op play.
Killers enjoy the competitive aspect of games, seeking to dominate other players. While narrative may be less important to them, they value stories that enhance their sense of power and influence in the game.
Gaming motivations and their influence on gaming preferences
Game motivations directly influence players' preferences and the aspects of the game that they find most satisfying. Developers can use this knowledge to create games that better meet the needs and expectations of their target audience.
Immersion in the plot. Narrative-motivated players seek deep and emotionally compelling stories. Games like “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt» attract them with its rich world and multi-layered plot.
Research and discovery. Players with a passion for exploration prefer games with an open world and lots of secrets, such as “Breath of the Wild». Freedom of choice and the ability to independently discover the world of the game are important to them.
Competition and achievements. Motivation for achievement and competition leads players to prefer games with clear goals and opportunities to demonstrate skill, e.g. “Dark Souls» or in competitive multiplayer games.
Social interaction. Players seeking social interaction prefer games that support and encourage team play and communication, such as “Overwatch» or MMORPG like “World of Warcraft».
Understanding these motivations allows developers to create more targeted gaming experiences that can cater to different player preferences, making their games more engaging and memorable. Including elements that are purposefully designed for different types of players can help create deeper and more satisfying gaming experiences.
Cross-cultural differences and preferences in video games
The relationship between cultural preferences and the popularity of certain video game genres is expressed through the diversity of gaming traditions and tastes around the world. Game developers often focus on these preferences when creating and localizing their products for different regional markets.
Europe
Strategy and adventure games are very popular in Europe. European players value deep stories, thoughtful design and attention to detail. Games like the series “The Witcher» from Polish studio CD Projekt Red, are proving successful among European audiences thanks to their rich narrative and complex world.
Asia
The Asian market is characterized by high popularity of MMOs (massively multiplayer online games), mobile games and RPGs, especially with anime elements. Asian gamers' cultural preferences lean towards games that offer extensive social interaction and competitive elements. Examples of popular games include “Genshin Impact» And “Lineage II». In Japan, visual novels and games based on popular anime series are also very successful.
USA
Action games, shooters and sports simulations are especially popular in the United States. American gamers prefer fast-paced and competitive games with high-quality graphics and realistic gameplay. Franchises such as “Call of Duty» And “Madden NFL»are a huge success in the American market.
Russia and CIS
Real-time strategies, RPGs and quests are traditionally popular in Russia. Russian players value complex strategies with a deep tactical component and games with a rich plot. Games like “STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl» And “Metro 2033»developed in Eastern Europe, resonate with Russian audiences due to their atmosphere and attention to detail in creating post-apocalyptic worlds.
Adaptation and market orientation
When developing video games for the international market, game creators are faced with the need to adapt their products to different cultural contexts. This may include localizing language, adapting content to suit local norms and values, and changing marketing strategy to meet the unique tastes and preferences of different audiences.
Targeting specific markets from the very beginning of development can significantly increase a game's chances of success. This requires a deep understanding of the cultural characteristics, preferences and gaming traditions of the target audience, as well as a willingness to invest in quality localization and market research.
Thus, embracing cross-cultural differences not only increases the global accessibility and appeal of video games, but also helps create a more inclusive and diverse gaming landscape.
Analysis of successful examples
Games where narrative and gameplay effectively complement each other
“God of War” (2018, Santa Monica Studio). The series' reimagining transformed Kratos from a one-dimensional hero into a deeply developed character with a troubled past. The game's mechanics, including the combat system and interactions with Kratos' son, Atreus, tie directly into the story's progression, emphasizing themes of fatherhood and redemption. This integration creates a powerful emotional impact on the player, making every action meaningful.
“Red Dead Redemption 2” (Rockstar Games). In this game, the attention to detail and depth of the world serve not only to create an immersive atmosphere, but also to deepen the narrative. Mechanics such as hunting, camping, and interacting with gang members flesh out the characters and the world they live in, allowing players to immerse themselves in a story set in the late 19th century West.
Horizon Zero Dawn (Guerrilla Games). The game combines post-apocalyptic science fiction with a beautifully realized open world. Exploring the ruins of ancient civilizations and the combat system against mechanized creatures is not only exciting, but also serves as a means of revealing the history of the world and the origin of the main character, Aloy.
“Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (Bethesda Game Studios). The epic RPG allows players to chart their own path through a vast open world. The integration of narrative with game mechanics occurs through numerous quests and character interactions, each of which contributes to the overall story of the world, allowing players to influence the fate of Skyrim and the entire empire.
“Shadow of the Colossus” (Team Ico). The game offers a unique combination of exploration and battle with colossi. The mechanics of scaling giant creatures to defeat them tie directly into the narrative, revealing the story of the mysterious world and the protagonist's motivations. Each fight is both a challenge and a way to tell a story without words.
Poor examples of narrative and gameplay integration
1. Far Cry 3 (Ubisoft Montreal)
IN “Far Cry 3″ the main character, Jason Brody, transforms from an ordinary young man into an experienced warrior. Although the game's narrative attempts to tell the story of his moral and psychological development, the gameplay, in which Jason effortlessly destroys hundreds of enemies, creates dissonance. This disconnect between the survival story and the gameplay execution undermines immersion in the character and their inner world.
2. “LA Noire” (Team Bondi and Rockstar Games)
“LA Noire immerses players in the role of a detective in post-war Los Angeles, where attention to detail and the ability to read the facial expressions of suspects are important. However, moments of pursuit and shooting seem out of place, contradicting the detective narrative and careful investigation of the cases. These gameplay elements disrupt the atmosphere of the game and break the unity of the gaming experience.
3. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (Eidos Montréal)
IN “Deus Ex: Mankind Divided's deep narrative about discrimination and social inequality sometimes conflicts with the gameplay. The game offers an arsenal of deadly weapons and opportunities to aggressively eliminate enemies, which goes against the themes presented. This dissonance between the protagonist's goals and the actions available to the player weakens the strength of the story.
4. “Watch Dogs” (Ubisoft Montreal)
IN “Watch Dogs' players use hacking skills to fight corruption, but much of the gameplay involves shooting and chasing, which doesn't fit well with the image of a master hacker. The disconnect between hacking abilities and physical confrontations creates dissonance, reducing engagement with the narrative about the power of information and the impact of technology on society.
5. “Spec Ops: The Line” (Yager Development)
While Spec Ops: The Line is often praised for its critical take on military shooters and the psychological depth of its narrative, the game's mechanics sometimes conflict with that message. The gameplay offers a traditional shooter experience, including plenty of combat, which may conflict with the anti-war rhetoric and criticism of the genre embedded in the plot. This dissonance between the goal of making players think about the morality and consequences of military action while simultaneously offering satisfying combat gameplay calls into question the effectiveness of this approach in achieving emotional impact on the player.
Avoiding Dissonance
Strategies for avoiding conflict between story and gameplay
Developers can employ various strategies to prevent dissonance between narrative and gameplay by ensuring that these components interact harmoniously:
Deep integration of plot and mechanics. Creating mechanics that naturally fit into the plot and help reveal it. An example is the use of dialogue and choices that directly affect the development of the plot and relationships with characters.
Adaptive narrative. Developing a story that can adapt to the player's actions allows for a sense of continuity and coherence between gameplay and narrative.
Matching theme and mechanics. Choosing mechanics that highlight the theme and atmosphere of the game strengthens the connection between the player's actions and the story.
Narrative gameplay space. Designing game levels and worlds that tell a story or convey certain emotions through visuals and interactivity.
Feedback and testing. Early testing of game scenarios with players helps identify points of dissonance and provides an opportunity to adjust both narrative and gameplay.
conclusions
Making video games is an art that requires a careful balance between narrative and gameplay. As the examples discussed above show, the successful integration of these elements can turn a game into an unforgettable experience that deeply touches the emotions and thoughts of players. At the same time, dissonance between story and gameplay can undermine immersion and leave you feeling unsatisfied.
The key strategies for achieving harmony are deep integration of story and mechanics, adaptive narrative, matching theme and mechanics, creating a narrative play space, and rigorous testing with player feedback. Developers who pay attention to these aspects can avoid dissonance and create games that leave a significant mark on the hearts and minds of their audience.
The world of video games is constantly evolving, and I look forward to seeing what new stories we can tell in this exciting art form. Thanks for joining me in this exploration of the harmony between narrative and gameplay. Together, let's continue to create worlds that inspire, educate, and entertain.
In conclusion, I invite you to the free webinars of the course “Game Writer and Narrative Designer”. Registration is available via the links below:
