In the world of gaming today most of the focus is on online and Multiplayer Games.
Many comments have recently arisen that narrative is not important in gaming, well I say this is wrong and that narrative is just as important as any multiplayer game feature or add-on.
While the next-generation of consoles has a keen focus on taking games further into the online landscape, many developers are still passion about building a world for players to explore and to utilize the power of the consoles to amaze the players as they step into a new landscape of opportunity.
One such game coming out is the ambitious title and the final arc in the Arkham series, Batman: Arkham Knight. Rocksteady studios went out to say in their interview that multiplayer was never planned and that they wish to deliver the finale of the story without any hindrances.
Not only mainstream studios or titles are embracing single-player narrative experiences but so are indie developers, which show that narrative isn’t going anywhere. Warhorse Studios after gaining support on Kickstarter with astonishing numbers plan on bringing a deep and rich lore in a realistic medieval setting in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. While titles such as Titanfall and Destiny require online-only connections, new and innovative titles plan to deliver with story and amazing visuals.
It is true that more MMO-inspired games are on the horizon such as The Division, and The Crew, both from Ubisoft, And Microsoft is one of the leaders in the industry pushing for a online environment. However this hasn’t stop studios from pursuing one type of experience for the player. A great example of this is in the The Witcher 3, a highly anticipated game for next-gen only consoles that will complete the story of Geralt and bring players deeper into his story.
More examples of single player experiences still to come are The Evil Within, Alien Isolation, and Wolfenstein: The New Order. It isn’t just shown in the games being developed that narrative is not decaying, but in specific developers. One such high-profile developer is the famous Hideo Kojima, who is striving to evolve narrative in gaming with his ambitious title, Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain.
The digital age is coming, there is no denying that, and video games and its culture will continue to slowly be evolved into this world. But the way games are expressed and developed will never change. Developers who wish to tell stories with dramatic effect such as The Last of Us and Bioshock Infinite, will always move emotions within the gamer. I believe there is no argument or battle, but that narrative is as strong as ever and will become even better with more advanced tools in the hands of developers. Narrative Vs. Multiplayer, the answer is simple, Narrative wins.
Do you agree? Leave your comments below.
