I've mentioned it in passing but think it could be a great addition to the forums, would anyone else like to see a Games section? Every year maybe a couple of truly great films come out, if that. Compare that to games where each year is filled with undeniable classics. Anyone here who's played Max Payne 3 knows what I'm talking about. There's so much to learn about story from games and I think it's about time we stop ignoring it. It's a perfect blend of Film and Television. So sound off, do y'all think it would be worthwhile?
Video Game Section
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Re: Video Game Section
I think it's a great idea. Something new to argue about that hasn't already been covered ad nauseum. Seriously, though...there's almost nothing out there on the basics of writing for video games, and the market is a solid alternative for writers that don't feel like tilting at the Hollywood windmill."Forget it, Jake. It's Hollywood."
My YouTube channel.
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Re: Video Game Section
You're right it beats the hell out of covering the same stuff all the time. But we should be having more discussion about it, any writer trying to make a name should see where games are going.
Unfortunately I was expecting more people than the two us to welcome the suggestion.
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Video Game Section
Originally posted by TheConnorNoden View PostIt's a perfect blend of Film and Television. So sound off, do y'all think it would be worthwhile?Originally posted by Ire View PostC4. C5 C6 C7 C8
And so ends my review.
I just sunk their battleship.
Feels good to get that off my chest.
"Perfect blend of Film and Television"?JEKYLL & CANADA (free .mp4 download @ Vimeo.com)
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Re: Video Game Section
I'm just using my Gretzky-esque power to see where the puck's going to end up, and in 10 years every writer will be fighting to work on games. It's a medium that's evolving so rapidly and arguably has more creative freedom. It's not an issue now but eventually it will be an adapt or die situation.
The reason I say it's a blend of film and TV is that it can have the action and pacing of a film but with the depth and duration of a TV series. Uncharted 3 for example, better than most action films from the last decade.
P.S. I'd like a comic section but one step at a time.
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I always find it kind of strange when people say that many games have great writing. No they don't. Games generally have terrible writing, but it's fine, because their main goal is to have a great gameplay experience instead of great story experience.
The exceptions to the aforementioned rule are extremely rare. I would say that the first Mass Effect has some very fine writing in terms of story, character and dialogue. It could be adapted into a very good movie. But the great majority of AAA games have writing that ranges from awful to average.
Halo series, GTA series, Bioshock series, Half Life series, Metal Gear Solid series, and other popular picks for "They should turn this into a movie!" all have fairly poor writing. Weak stories with weak characters and weak dialogue. Yes, for GAMES they are much better than the usual fare, but still, the writing is pretty weak by movie standards.
I recall that the 90's point-and-click adventure games often had some genuinely good writing in them. But that genre has been pretty dead for the last 10 years.
I guess that people are so taken over by the interactive qualities of games, that the writing seems better than it actually it. You *experience* the writing personally, instead of just watching it happen to other people on the screen.
I do agree that more and more good writers are going work in the game industry in the future. So there is hope for better.
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Re: Video Game Section
Originally posted by tuukka View PostI always find it kind of strange when people say that many games have great writing. No they don't. Games generally have terrible writing, but it's fine, because their main goal is to have a great gameplay experience instead of great story experience.
The exceptions to the aforementioned rule are extremely rare. I would say that the first Mass Effect has some very fine writing in terms of story, character and dialogue. It could be adapted into a very good movie. But the great majority of AAA games have writing that ranges from awful to average.
Halo series, GTA series, Bioshock series, Half Life series, Metal Gear Solid series, and other popular picks for "They should turn this into a movie!" all have fairly poor writing. Weak stories with weak characters and weak dialogue. Yes, for GAMES they are much better than the usual fare, but still, the writing is pretty weak by movie standards.
I recall that the 90's point-and-click adventure games often had some genuinely good writing in them. But that genre has been pretty dead for the last 10 years.
I guess that people are so taken over by the interactive qualities of games, that the writing seems better than it actually it. You *experience* the writing personally, instead of just watching it happen to other people on the screen.
I do agree that more and more good writers are going work in the game industry in the future. So there is hope for better.
ETA: Game writing forum would be awesome.
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Re: Video Game Section
Originally posted by Anagram View PostYou think Bioshock and the Half Life series have poor writing? I do not have the words to convey my incredulity at that statement.
They have good "game writing" in the sense that the gaming experience in expertly defined. But that type of writing is not comparable to movies or TV in the slightest.
Sure, they have better writing than most games. Because most games have absolutely god-awful writing.
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Re: Video Game Section
Originally posted by tuukka View PostYes. Both game series excel in gameplay, level design, visual design and atmosphere, but they also have lackluster stories, characters and dialogue. I think it would be quite hard to make an argument that they have good writing in the traditional sense of the word.
They have good "game writing" in the sense that the gaming experience in expertly defined. But that type of writing is not comparable to movies or TV in the slightest.
Sure, they have better writing than most games. Because most games have absolutely god-awful writing.
And though the Uncharted series are purposefully over the top, it would be silly to deny that the writing was good enough to make us care for the characters. The relationships are complex and layered, especially Nate and Victor, or Nate and Elena.
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Re: Video Game Section
Ironically a debate about video game writing has broken out on a thread "suggesting" the creation of a section, where people can discuss video game writing..
I like the idea of a video game section, not just for writing itself, but also for the business.
Everyone on here knows, or will know, how to go about finding a job in Hollywood. Not everyone will of course, but we know the steps we need to take.
When it comes to "breaking into" the video game writing world, I personally have no clue where to begin.
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