Games for a Video Game Storytelling Class?

[AlternatePFG]

Journey (it's available on the Playstation Network) - Words can't do this game justice. Seriously, this one's truly something special.

Just beat it earlier today, loved it. It was an art game that was actually fun, and it used multiplayer in such a unique way, it gave the same kind of lonely experience that games like Demon's/Dark Souls do so well despite being multiplayer.

Seriously disappointed that there aren't more people talking about it, but then again it's still "Why the Mass Effect 3 ending sucked/didn't suck" topics ad nauseum.

I pretty much agree with all of your other choices too. Stanely Parable is also rather underappreciated, I felt like it pretty much satirizes arty games like Dear Esther pretty well. Would throw Shadow of the Colossus in there as well.

 

[Ryank1908]

I would absolutely have to start with something simple - I'm talking really simple, like the old-school. Toejam and Earl, Mario, e.t.c. You need something, you go through the journey of getting said thing, you get thing and you escape happily.

Then I'd move onto the start of complicated storytelling like the RPG's of the 90's and how they told their stories, using Baldur's Gate as a strong example, and using the comparisons to D&D. Finally, I'd use more avant-garde examples like Bastion, or Braid, or Journey - games that use their mechanics or their visuals to tell stories in ways that only videogames can.

 

[blizzaradragon]

*snippity snip snip*

Hmm...no M rated games makes it a bit more difficult, but there are enough good stories throughout the medium's lifespan to bring up some good games.

My biggest recommendations are for KotOR I and II, especially if students are able to get the restored content mod for II. I is a great example of a plot twist, while II deals in some very interesting ideas(mainly through Kreia).

I agree with your use of FFVI, but disagree with using VII. X could still work, but it is also kind of basic. The twist is really cool, but if you're going to use a Final Fantasy game then VI or IV would be better choices.

It may be because I really enjoy Blizzard games, but I think the Warcraft series and Starcraft series have some good stories. Especially the changing perspective by having different races take the spotlight in each different story arc, and all the lore that the universes have. Plus Warcraft 3 and both Starcraft games would be pretty easy for students to get, so ease of access could easily throw it into the class.

The Jak and Daxter series shows some interesting story elements, and watching Jak corrupt through the series was very interesting. Ratchet and Clank or Sly Cooper could also work, really comes down to personal preference there.

I'm sure there are others that I could think of, but having some trouble right now. I'll make another post if I can think of more.

One question though: are you simply using game stories as they're presented or are alternate theories to the stories accepted? Because you could have a very interesting discussion in your class using FFVIII by comparing the presented story to the "Squall is Dead" theory.

 

[zephyron]

First of all, to those involved in the "Dear Esther" debate, I have yet to play it, but I will check it out and consider including it. Whether or not it's a "game" is irrelevant; this is about interactive narrative art. Games are not the only way to contextualize this interactivity, nor is any meaningful interaction necessary for it to be an example of this medium due to the fact that, simplified down as low as it could be, it does require the player to interact, even if only by walking. Again, I have yet to play it, but on principle I find the "not a game" argument to be a waste of time since that does not disqualify it from being a meaningful work of digital interactive art.

I mostly agree that it shouldn't be disqualified from being a "meaningful work of digital interactive art," but your class is a "Video Game Storytelling" class, not a "Digital Art Storytelling" class. It sounds like I'm just being pedantic here, but I think the difference is actually much larger than you give it credit for. The one key thing that separates video games from other mediums is the interactivity and the control the player has, neither of which are really present in Dear Esther. It's that key difference which makes video game storytelling so unique.
To give you what I feel is a good analogy about how they're different, imagine you were teaching a class on storytelling in animated movies. Would you include comics or graphic novels in your curriculum? On a lot of levels, they seem very similar, but the fact that movies aren't just still drawings with speech bubbles actually makes them a very different medium than comics which can accomplish things comics couldn't dream of. But I'd say the difference between movies and comics pales in comparison to the unique element of interactivity that games provide. It's a totally radical, new dimension in storytelling (even if it's often poorly used, mostly because it's so new that people don't understand how to use it right, but that's a whole 'nother topic), and frankly, Dear Esther doesn't exist in that dimension.
As many have already mentioned, the Stanley Parable is much better example of the sort of thing Dear Esther is going for, at least on the dimension of interactivity in games. I'm not necessarily saying Dear Esther shouldn't be included in your curriculum, but if it's there, it should be there to contrast how video game storytelling is different than it, similar to how a comic might be included in a animation course to contrast the two different media.

 

[J-Alfred]

I recommend Hotel Dusk: Room 215, if only as an example of creating strong, compelling characters that you come to care about over the course of the game. Louis DeNono in particular is a fine example of how to execute a fantastic character arc.

 

[shadow skill]

@OP
Sorry about that, didn't realize Persona 3 was rated M. Damn shame too because it is so thematically rich. Vagrant Story might also be worth a look. Not too sure about this but Mirror's Edge may fit in there too. Soul Reaver which was rated T in the original PS one release would be a good choice if you get a bit of wiggle room. This was probably mentioned already but Arkham City could be a good choice. Disgaea 3 could be worth a look as well and a nice change of pace from deliberately serious games since Disgaea is a parody franchise. Blazblue could be worth a shot too.

 

[ChildofGallifrey]

I just commented on another post about the 'Tales of' game series, so I might as well keep it going here.

'Tales of the Abyss' is generally a well regarded game. The story is fairly cliche (stop the bad guy who used to be good, save the world from generic apocalypse), but the characters are what bring it to life. I very vocally hold up the central character, Luke fon Fabre, as having the best character arc of any video game character I've ever seen. You start out with a spoiled rich noble and end with a gracious, self-sacraficing hero. The drastic change is brought about in a believable way, not just for the sake of the plot, and you really do go from wanting to hang the little bastard to genuinely caring about his quest and motivations.

It's certainly worth a look, at least.

 

[Zayle79]

Why are you using "literature" in the course title? I probably don't know what I'm talking about, but isn't that word specific to written works?

Anyhow, I'd suggest Portal. I think it's a great example of a game with a really strong story that's told in bite-sized pieces. Until the end, there are no cutscenes, just the nice computer lady's intercom blurbs, but the story is somehow really impactful despite this.

 

[Diminished Capacity]

Today I Die.

I don't think anybody said that yet. It's a free (flash?) game, and only takes a few minutes to play. It has darkish themes, but ends up having an encouraging and positive message. Also, there are at least 2 endings. I enthusiastically recommend it.

Come on, it's free.

 

[katml]

A lot of the games I would have suggested are ones you've already acknowledged will be in the course, but I'd like to second Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer as an alternative to Planescape: Torment. As a high schooler myself, I think it would be more accessible. I'd also like to second Psychonauts, simply because I appreciated how well the gameplay was integrated into the story.

 

[RaffB]

I am Alive (Brilliantly Atmospheric)
Deus Ex (Complex as hell in places)
Borderlands (Has a lot of story, just not presented in the normal way)
Fallout (Best example of player choices influencing story)
Mass Effect (Same as above)


Also, I envy you so damned much, sounds like my dream job.

 

[Thaius]

Why are you using "literature" in the course title? I probably don't know what I'm talking about, but isn't that word specific to written works?

I addressed this in the OP. In an academic context, "literature" is often used to refer to the art of telling stories. Classes such as "Film as Literature" exist, and focus on the way film tells stories. Strictly by dictionary definition, yes, the word refers to "the written word." From a cultural perspective, however, looking at the word's meaning rather than its definition (which is always the more important aspect of a word), it fits perfectly well.

 

[Bostur]

I don't have any specific suggestions that haven't been included here, but have you considered the actual logistics of your students playing the games?

It is something I thought about. I thought about it when I designed the course and brainstormed with my Game Design professor as to the best solution. It looks like I will be organizing the course into studies based on genre, perspective, etc., and allowing the student to pick between a few potential options. That way, I can have games available on multiple systems so students will always have the means to play at least one game on the list. The only downside is that it eliminates whole-class discussions on specific games (though I do have the whole class play Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), but it seems to be the best solution.

Thanks for providing some insight in the process. I did wonder myself because games are generally very long, it might be hard to cut directly to the essence.

 

[Thaius]

I don't have any specific suggestions that haven't been included here, but have you considered the actual logistics of your students playing the games?

It is something I thought about. I thought about it when I designed the course and brainstormed with my Game Design professor as to the best solution. It looks like I will be organizing the course into studies based on genre, perspective, etc., and allowing the student to pick between a few potential options. That way, I can have games available on multiple systems so students will always have the means to play at least one game on the list. The only downside is that it eliminates whole-class discussions on specific games (though I do have the whole class play Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), but it seems to be the best solution.

Thanks for providing some insight in the process. I did wonder myself because games are generally very long, it might be hard to cut directly to the essence.

That is very true, but I figure two things. First of all, anyone taking this course likely plays games regularly anyway. Meaning that, if they play an assigned game as their normal gaming time, they could probably finish your average shooter or action game within a week without even actually setting any time aside as homework. So it's all about giving them time to finish them (each study should last around two-3 weeks for the shorter games, longer in some cases) and planning relevant lessons for those periods. When it comes down to it, the games must be played. Some people early in the design process suggested I just show footage of games in-class, but I stood strong against that concept from the start; study of video games means nothing without the interaction that makes the medium so special in the first place.