Writing and Video Games: The Plot Connection

I am a gamer. This is no secret. I'm also a writer, and a reader, and so many other things.

But, at a glance, it seems to many people-- particularly those who don't play many games, and even to those who only play certain types of games-- it seems particularly unlikely that what I most enjoy about video games is, in many cases, the plot.

There are people who argue that, for video games, you don't need plot. The gameplay is what's most important.

And that's fine. There are games like that. I doubt most people playing Grand Theft Auto do it for any sort of story. Super Smash Bros is completely about beating up your friends. Halo multiplayer is widely popular.

But there are also movies where the plot doesn't matter. You always know that, in a James Bond movie, there will be explosions, high adventure, and a beautiful woman. I think my father would watch a James Bond movie just for those, and the fight sequences, even if there was nothing else involved.

There are books where the plot doesn't matter. Sounds really odd, doesn't it? It falls into two categories: literary fiction-- something that many college professors failed to pound the importance of into my skull-- and erotica, or literary porn.

Go on, take a few minutes. Think of some movies, some books, where you really didn't care for the point of it all. The Three Stooges. Fifty Shades of Gray. There are more. Think of some.

Just like you can think of those books and movies, I can think of games without plot. And yes, there are times when there's nothing else to shine through but the gameplay; when all I do, upon turning on a game, is play, and not think about evil-doers and people to protect. But usually, it's more fun with them.

In coming weeks, I'll be looking at a number of games from my own collection and discussing their plots, or lack of, in detail. Don't worry; due to my own limited budget, as well as a personal desire not to spoil things, I'll try to only review games from 2008 or earlier. Like books and movies, there's a limit to how long surprises can stay surprises.

I'll also try to connect these games to other medium: books, movies, tv, and so forth. Let's see how games measure up.

As a note, there will be no blog post next week; I have a full work schedule and will be out of town for two days. It's more important to write than to blog, if I have to make the choice.

Happy Writing,

-Alaina