Story in games?

[penguincube]

I wanted to get gamers' comments on this quote:

"Story in a game is like story in porn. It's expected to be there, but it's not that important."
-John Carmack, id Software Programmer, working on Doom III's plot.

(From: EGM)

Do you think that is true? About all games in general. Or is story an important part of working through a game?

[Briab Guy]

I think its real important in a game. The best games I have played and really enjoyed have had a "good" story line.
I normaly stick to shooters like Call of duty, Ghost Recon and Raven Sheild, but games like Soul Reaver 2 had a great story to it and so did Mr. bullet time "Max Payne".
So I think it makes a big diff. But sometimes I want mindless entertainment, so I watch TV!

[DragonNOA1]

I agree with the gaming god. For anyone to understand they probably have to think of older games (like DOOM) where all you did was go around shooting everything. The story wasn't too detailed but was a blast to play.

[corosus]

i can't speak for annyone else, but most games that i play, when it gets hard, i want to konw how it ends, and that's part of what keeps me going;-)
most games that i've liked, have had at least some story. (Ahhh homeworld ;-) )

[icallmedan]

I agree with that comment, because look at online games (not online RPGs but shooters) take BF: 1942 or CS for example, neither of those games has a real storyline but you can play them for hours, because the story even if one was there isn't necessary.

[DarkHorse]

It's a blanket statement, which means it's part true and part baloney.

True: Not all games require a story. Consider the classics, like Pong, Tetris, and almost any pre- 8-bit era video game, which are addictive, entertaining, and generally lacking narrative. Then there are the multiplayer games, which by their very nature make a single storyline impossible. Can you imagine trying to create a novel of a CS encounter?

False: Some games are great because of the story. Final Fantasy (any of 'em) would be crippled without its involved storyline. Likewise, Max Payne was great because of its over-the-top narration and stylistic...style.

I for one prefer a game that can weave an entire world, but I'm not above a fragfest or suchlike addictive games.

[Piro-san]

Ya, Final Fantasy almost always has the best plots. The random battles can get annoying, but it's the plot that keeps me coming back for more (and the rare stuff too).

[Nuclear Krusader]

If he thinks that way then I feel pity for him, coz he's a moron. Story is the most important thing in the kind of games he makes.

If it's a multiplayer game where the only goal is to blast the oponents, then story is not important at all. But in solo play story is what drives the game, it's the core of the game. If there's no story your game sucks. Yeah, it can have the biggest and baddest visuals, physics, gameplay, music and effects; if it has a flaky story it still sux.

I'm appalled such people work as designers of games. That explains why the market is so full of garbage nowadays.

[imbest123]

I love story in a game. What would Zelda Ocarina of Time be without a story?

[Force Flow]

If that programmer does what he describes how a game should be, it doesn't look like D3 will be that great.

[Nuclear Krusader]

I am looking forward to D3, but if the story is as bad as the original Doom, then I will spend my money somewhere else.

[icallmedan]

Yeah it really seems that for some games story is necessary but it can still be fun without. Take a look at Halo, there is a great story behind it, but you can still have fun playing levels in any order, because its all fun to blow up alien scum. LOL.

[Hi Ho]

It depends on the type of game. Call of Duty and Medal of Honor wouldn't be as good without a good story. Games like Roller Coaster Tycoon and the Sims don't need a story.

[pickledchicken]

He's right. Some games just don't need a storyline. Like the sims, or some first person shooters. But in things like RPGs or RTS games, they're essential.

[coolcps]

To me story can make or break a game. I game can be great without a good story, but a good story really pulls it altogether and makes it more of a last experience.

[Kov-Ice]

The original Doom didn't need much of a storyline: it was addictive, ground-breaking entertainment. If that guy thinks the same idea but better graphics will work for D3, then I agree with Nuke. There are tons of places to get a FPS fix.

[milkman4_hi_r]

Originally posted by Nuclear Krusader I am looking forward to D3, but if the story is as bad as the original Doom, then I will spend my money somewhere else.

like HL2

[sheeepy the noob]

best story line game has to be diablo 2 lod cause the video things were awesome... good memories of that game...