Carmine's Opinion on Video Game Worlds

I really think that the one thing that has really kept me captivated in my gaming experiences is the story and the world that is created by the game. I always wished there was some way to transport myself into the world of the video game I was playing when I was a kid. Video game worlds are rewarding and challenging at the same time. The world of Link in the Legend of Zelda is complex and vast. It is easy to get lost in the mythology that is created by the game developers. Indeed, watching the story unravel is a motivating factor for beating the game.

I bring up the example of The Legend of Zelda because it is one of my favourite games and I have played the series extensively. In addition to beautiful environments, the "world" of the game is constructed with its own mythology. There are different races of people, all with their own myths and legends. There are ancient artifacts that have origin stories. There are the main characters themselves who each have a story to tell in their own right. All of these details contribute to an intriguing world that enthralls the player. Another example I choose to present is the Castlevania series. This horror movie-inspired series presents a classic good versus evil conflict that pits a family of vampire killers against the Count Dracula. The environment is dark. The music is eerie. The monsters are frightening. The game is awesome. The overall mood is achieved much in the same way that moods are created in movies: set design, music, costumes, and props. The video game equivalents are: level design, music, characters (including enemies), and weapons.

I have expanded on why I think the world created in a video game is essential to its success in the preceding blog entry. At this point I would like to address the fact that casual gamers often do not require such an in depth story or detailed world to enjoy a game. Take Angry Birds as an example. I’m pretty sure the story is “the birds are angry, and they don’t like pigs”. It works. It’s weird, but it works.