The proliferation of AI in games is a double-edged sword, one that promises to make storytelling more efficient and accessible but also threatens to undermine the very essence of human creativity.
As someone who has written bestselling novels turned into TV series, I've always been fascinated by the power of storytelling to connect us with each other. And when it comes to video games, the potential for immersive storytelling is enormous. Take Zombies, Run!, for example - a game that uses audio drama to make running more enjoyable and even therapeutic.
But what sets great storytelling in games apart from the mediocre stuff? For me, it's all about creating characters that resonate with players on an emotional level. When you play a game like Zombies, Run!, you're not just exercising - you're investing in a world where every run is a heroic act, where every decision has consequences.
And yet, when we talk about storytelling in games, we often focus on the quantity rather than the quality. We'll tout a game's "100-plus hours of story" or claim that it contains more words than a novel - and while these metrics might seem impressive, they ultimately tell us nothing about whether the story is engaging or meaningful.
Good storytelling requires a hook to grab our attention, a narrative thread that weaves together disparate elements into something cohesive. It's not just about conveying information or presenting characters in a neat package; it's about creating an emotional experience that stays with us long after we've finished playing.
That's why I'm excited to see companies like Zombies, Run! pushing the boundaries of what storytelling can do in games. By focusing on the fundamentals of storytelling - character development, plot structure, emotional resonance - they're creating experiences that are more than just entertainment; they're connecting us with each other and ourselves.
Of course, there's a counterargument to be made about the role of AI in game development. Can machines truly create stories that resonate with players? Or are we just trading one form of creativity for another?
As someone who's written novels and turned them into TV series, I'd argue that storytelling is fundamentally human. It requires empathy, imagination, and a deep understanding of what makes us tick. While AI can process vast amounts of data and generate text that passes the Turing test, it can't replicate the unique spark of creativity that comes from a human writer.
But here's the thing: we don't need to choose between human storytelling and AI-generated content. We can have both - and by working together, we can create experiences that are more engaging, more memorable, and more emotionally resonant than ever before.
So as we move forward in this brave new world of gaming, let's focus on the quality rather than just the quantity. Let's celebrate games like Zombies, Run! that push the boundaries of what storytelling can do, and let's recognize the incredible work that human writers are doing to create experiences that connect us with each other and ourselves.
Recommended Games:
* Evil Egg: A frenzied twin-stick blaster with gorgeous Commodore 64-style visuals and sound effects.
* Skate Story: A skateboarding paradise despite a hellish premise.
* Cyberpunk 2077 PC screenshot (for a safe, open-world experience).
* Forza Horizon 4 on PC (for a driving game experience).
Recommended Reading:
* Harper Jay MacIntyre's post about Horses, the art game recently banned by digital platforms Steam and Epic Games Store.
* Garrett Martin's analysis of the Atari 2600 version of Pac-Man.
Question Block:
Is there a video game that you think your elderly grandad would enjoy?
As someone who has written bestselling novels turned into TV series, I've always been fascinated by the power of storytelling to connect us with each other. And when it comes to video games, the potential for immersive storytelling is enormous. Take Zombies, Run!, for example - a game that uses audio drama to make running more enjoyable and even therapeutic.
But what sets great storytelling in games apart from the mediocre stuff? For me, it's all about creating characters that resonate with players on an emotional level. When you play a game like Zombies, Run!, you're not just exercising - you're investing in a world where every run is a heroic act, where every decision has consequences.
And yet, when we talk about storytelling in games, we often focus on the quantity rather than the quality. We'll tout a game's "100-plus hours of story" or claim that it contains more words than a novel - and while these metrics might seem impressive, they ultimately tell us nothing about whether the story is engaging or meaningful.
Good storytelling requires a hook to grab our attention, a narrative thread that weaves together disparate elements into something cohesive. It's not just about conveying information or presenting characters in a neat package; it's about creating an emotional experience that stays with us long after we've finished playing.
That's why I'm excited to see companies like Zombies, Run! pushing the boundaries of what storytelling can do in games. By focusing on the fundamentals of storytelling - character development, plot structure, emotional resonance - they're creating experiences that are more than just entertainment; they're connecting us with each other and ourselves.
Of course, there's a counterargument to be made about the role of AI in game development. Can machines truly create stories that resonate with players? Or are we just trading one form of creativity for another?
As someone who's written novels and turned them into TV series, I'd argue that storytelling is fundamentally human. It requires empathy, imagination, and a deep understanding of what makes us tick. While AI can process vast amounts of data and generate text that passes the Turing test, it can't replicate the unique spark of creativity that comes from a human writer.
But here's the thing: we don't need to choose between human storytelling and AI-generated content. We can have both - and by working together, we can create experiences that are more engaging, more memorable, and more emotionally resonant than ever before.
So as we move forward in this brave new world of gaming, let's focus on the quality rather than just the quantity. Let's celebrate games like Zombies, Run! that push the boundaries of what storytelling can do, and let's recognize the incredible work that human writers are doing to create experiences that connect us with each other and ourselves.
Recommended Games:
* Evil Egg: A frenzied twin-stick blaster with gorgeous Commodore 64-style visuals and sound effects.
* Skate Story: A skateboarding paradise despite a hellish premise.
* Cyberpunk 2077 PC screenshot (for a safe, open-world experience).
* Forza Horizon 4 on PC (for a driving game experience).
Recommended Reading:
* Harper Jay MacIntyre's post about Horses, the art game recently banned by digital platforms Steam and Epic Games Store.
* Garrett Martin's analysis of the Atari 2600 version of Pac-Man.
Question Block:
Is there a video game that you think your elderly grandad would enjoy?
it's like they're actually making storytelling in games a thing! and can we pls talk about how underrated the art of storytelling is in gaming?! 
its all about creating characters that resonate with us, not just some generic protagonist with a boring backstory. u know? i mean think about it when you play zombies run u r literally invested in the world they're trying to sell u on every single time u go for a run its like u r there w/ jackson and his crew 
i mean what can ai do? create some generic formulaic plot twists? no thanks. we need more games like zombies run that make us feel something! 
. Can we focus on whether the story actually resonates or not? For me, it's all about creating characters that feel real & relatable. A game like Zombies, Run! gets it right because you're invested in the world, not just the gameplay 
. Companies like them are pushing the boundaries of storytelling in games, and I'm hyped to see what they come up with next 
. Can AI replicate human creativity? Maybe, but we shouldn't count on it 
.
That article about Horses being banned from Steam and Epic Games Store was actually kinda interesting though. Why do you think they banned it? 
but also kinda... soulless. I mean, how many times have you played a game where it's all like "press this button" or "solve that puzzle"? It just feels so... automated. Where's the heart? The passion? That's what makes a game truly memorable - when the devs pour their heart and soul into creating an experience that resonates with you on an emotional level.
for example - it was all about the nostalgia, the charm, the music 
. The AI wasn't needed to make it feel engaging because it was all about the player's experience. Nowadays, it feels like every game is trying to cram as much content in as possible without actually taking care of the storytelling.
- whether it was exploring a new level or trying to beat each other's high scores. There wasn't any AI forcing you to do this or that, it was all about having fun and being creative.
when it comes to creating engaging games. We can learn so much from them!
]
. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool and all that but can we just focus on the quality over quantity for once? 
. That's what makes great storytelling in games.
. We need to celebrate both human storytelling and AI-generated content, not pit them against each other 
.
. I'm excited to see what the future holds for game development and storytelling, but let's focus on quality over quantity for once 
.