The Narrative of a Good Game: Blog 8
I remember the exact day. It was Christmas 2015 and my five siblings and I were ecstatic. Under the tree not only lied the new “Wii” but also the gold mine. Accompanying our new pastime and holder of our most vicious arguments, was a game called “Animal Crossing.” Yeah, I was a hardcore gamer back in the day.
What made this game so addicting for 15-year-old me (and 20-year-old me in quarantine)? Some say the cute little animals that look like baby squirrels and some argue the narrative that the game has and builds throughout it. I say both of these attributes make Animal Crossing the best game. Ever.
Similar to the “Stanley Parable” there are stories and missions that each player needs to understand and complete throughout their gaming journey. For an inexperienced gamer like myself, I enjoy “Animal Crossing” because the narrative is easy to follow and uncomplex. Each of these games begin with problems. In the “Stanley Parable” case, Stanley is left abandoned and needs to figure out how to continue, or the player needs to figure it out. In “Animal Crossing,” your character has just arrived in a new town and needs to establish themselves.
In many good game narratives, there is a chance for the player to build something that they are proud of and makes the game so captivating. Once a player feels a real connection to what they are doing or feels accomplished, this will not only make the narrative more interesting, but encourage the player to continue with the game.
When I first began “Animal Crossing,” I was so captivated because I wanted the coolest furniture for my house. Not only did I want the swaggiest decor, but I also needed the best house as well. To do this I had to make money. I was grinding at fifteen. I had to catch as many apples and fish as possible to trade in for coins. This was not only stressful, but addicting and created a fun story and narrative for me. As you get older, you crave a narrative more complex like the game, the “Stanley Parable,” but for me, this narrative was quite perfect.
All in all, depending on the person playing, game designs need unique and personal narratives to keep the player engaged. A good video game has a balance of engagement, stress, fun, and excitement.