Video Games as a Form of Storytelling

Ava Walter, 12th grade

Storytelling has always been part of the human experience, and the form in which we tell stories continues to evolve over time. More recently, video games have proven to be a form of telling a story. While video games may seem like simple forms of entertainment, they actually have the potential to be an impactful medium for storytelling, and have the ability to create emotional investment in the narrative, dynamic character development, and immersive experiences. Unlike other storytelling forms, like books and films, video games are interactive in ways that are personal to players, making video games as a form of storytelling truly unique.

Not all video games are story driven, but many games have a carefully crafted narrative that can be revealed through gameplay, dialogue, or environmental storytelling. Players are often able to assume the role of a protagonist and make decisions that affect the narrative, creating emotional investment in characters and their stories. Some games develop complex characters and moral dilemmas, meaning players think about the choice they make and the consequences of their actions.

Video games are also capable of combining a vast amount of storytelling elements through their design. Many video games will have cut scenes, including voice acting, in-game backstories, and many more ways stories can unfold the beginning, middle and end of the game's narrative. These elements work in combination to create something special that elicits so many human emotions ranging from joy and excitement to sadness and reflection. The overall visual and audio experiences of the game also come into play. A beautifully designed video game can stimulate a player's curiosity about the world and a well crafted soundtrack will immerse players into an atmosphere and the overall narrative within the game.

Furthermore, video games as a form of storytelling provides gamers the opportunities to explore various themes and narratives throughout their gameplay. Many video games will unravel narratives rich with plot development and expansive worlds throughout many hours of play. Players have the chance to study complexities like themes such as love, loss, redemption, and identity, all of which make video games a truly unique and impactful way to tell a story.

While video games may seem to be just simple forms of entertainment, they are also a current evolution of storytelling. They can include elements that exist in books and films, but video games are a particularly special form of storytelling with their ability to include both narratives and interactivity. Video games ask players to actively participate in the story in ways that create more direct choice into the story, as well as allow players a deeper connection to characters and the themes of the narrative. Considering all this, the future of storytelling within video games remains limitless.