14. Evolution Premise
n Entertainment is all about gaining
survival (and reproduction) advantages
n Stories are the first Virtual Reality
n We learn from others’ experiences
n Games are about choice and actions
n We learn by getting better at skills
n Games are Doing, Stories are Telling
n For more info google “Natural
Funativity”
15. Gameplay trumps Story
n So “Show, don’t tell” becomes “Do, don’t
show”
n Many great games with lots of
interactivity, no story – Tetris, Bejewelled
n No great games with lots of story, no
interactivity. Count ‘em. None!
n But there are fabulously successful things
with no interactivity and great stories
n We call them Movies
18. So is it hopeless?
n We can mix stories in games
n Stories can make games more fun
n They can intensify emotional response
or enable new feelings
n They can add a new dimension to an
already good game
n It’s just hard – so you should have a
good reason – and a good writer!