Poll: Do you prefer open or closed endings to stories?

[Zakarath]

So I was just reading my way through a couple book series (The Enduring Flame and Temeraire, if you're curious), and I found myself enjoying them both, but the one that was a complete trilogy (TEF) left me feeling a little more complete/fulfilled than the other, if a bit regretful that I wouldn't see more of the characters.

So which do you prefer? A complete story or one that leaves the door open for further adventures?

Edit: Hmm, I should've added an "Either" option to the poll, but changing it now would probably break it.

 

[Tsaba]

you know.... for most games, a closed ending would be nice, for others I think they need to be open ended to tell the Whole story. Good example is Mass Effect, going into it, everyone knew it was going to be a trilogy. Others like Bad Company which pretty much was a closed ending, end well after the first.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

It really depends on the series.

For instance, the Millennium series (the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), finishes in such a way that clears everything up, but leaves the possibility of sequals.

In fact, that particular series was supposed to have 10 books at least, that's what the author had planned before he died, he was also around 2 thirds of the way through a fourth book, but whether that will be finished by his wife or somebody else is up in the air.

 

[Zakarath]

Yeah... I think closed ending can often be a bit deeper/more meaningful than open ones, but I think a lot of publishers might shy away from them because all they care about is sequel potential.

 

[s0p0g]

closed

it makes me less mad than open endings ^^
the problem is, if the story is good that i "care" about it i don't *want* it to end, but *have* to know how it does end.

and while a closed ending makes a little sad, because it's over and will never ever continue (or, probably should not... see all those horrible sequels, be it movies, games, books,...) it (usually) drives me crazy to not know what's going at the end

 

[Woodsey]

Well, if I talk about just games, a closed ending.

Most game writers cannot write an ambiguous/open ending. At all.

 

[DJDarque]

If it's a story that I really, really like even a closed ending isn't closed enough for me. I just want it to continue forever, but I know that's not possible.

 

[Zenron]

I would rather have a closed ending to be honest. I would rather have story which has a sense of finality to it instead of something which leaves me wanting more.

Thing is, it seems that whenever someone tries to create some sort open ending, it isn't done right. It depends on the medium of course, it can be done quite well in films. A good example of this for me would be "The Wrestler". That ends and what happens to the main character is left up to the viewers interpretation and it actually works well.

 

[vxicepickxv]

Was I enjoying the material that was supposed to entertain me? If yes, then if you plan on making more, I would like an open ending.

If you're not planning on doing anything else, or it sucked, close the ending up.

 

[Compatriot Block]

Closed. I guess that an open ending means you can "imagine" all the adventures that could happen afterwards, but I just feel unsatisfied.

 

[Adam28]

I like a little bit of both depending on the story.

If a sequel is wanted like with the first Mass Effect, I don't mind the story being left unfinished. If there isn't going to be any sequels like with KOTOR2 (a direct sequel), then no, I hate them. I guess a lot of people would argue that KOTOR2 did finish its story but too much was left unanswered, I think KOTOR1 did a better job by seemingly closing off the story but still leaving room for expansion.

As for films, I don't mind as long as the story is good. However for some reason, I am not as much of a fan of sequels. The same can be said for books.

 

[Azure Knight-Zeo]

I prefer a more closed story to give a sense of closer. Or if the show must go on, at least off the big bad and have the next one use a new baddie. I don't mind a recurring "Saturday morning cartoon villain" like Bowser or Dr. Eggman/Robotnik with their "evil plans of the week", because it's all for fun rather than a serious storyline. Though I don't like it when said evil plan involves awakening a giant death god, extra points deducted when you try said plan three times!

 

[Loop Stricken]

So which do you prefer? A complete story or one that leaves the door open for further adventures?

Well.

I got to the end of the Dark Tower series. Now anyone who's read that knows that you're given the choice to stop reading safe in the knowledge that

Spoiler

Roland reached the Dark Tower and made it inside

or carry on to see precisely what happens afterwards.

I read on. I had to know.

 

[teqrevisited]

I think that unless there is a defined sequel or any other continuation a story should come to a close. It all goes back to the archetypes. An unfulfilled ending will often leave a feeling that there is something missing.

That's just my preference, but that doesn't mean to say I don't like ambiguous endings or last minute tease endings.

 

[darksakul]

Open endings.
Not that the story has not resolved, every one likes closure in a story.
Wrap up the story, but leave the possibility that there could be more if a sequel is ever made.
That why writing a sequel is plausible and you do not have to recon or ruin your own continuity in the process.

Hint, Hint Start Trek, DC Comics and I am sure a number of others.

 

[Arsen]

I like endings that...don't wrap everything up. THat's how real life is. The closer the tale is, the more ambigious it is, the more "open to interpretation" it is...the more I like it.

 

[TheScientificIssole]

Open, because it's not only cool but leaves you looking for meaning and closure. I think three or five games have perfected the open endings.
Amnesia ends leaving you questioning the morals of the main character and if what had happened were true. Limbo leaves you to wonder what happened and even if you think you understand it you still have the fun of questioning it. But the best open ending is the Penumbra series overall and individually. The first 2 leave you wondering how it will end, but overture's ending is genius. I think I know what happened and I love that crap.

 

[xdom125x]

I prefer closed endings, but I can tolerate open endings if they are for a decent reason (like keeping with the theme of the work, for example). I almost always view an open-ending in a book as a sign of laziness on the writer's part because it seems like it comes from this train of thought: "I can't think of a good way to resolve this, so I might as well leave it unfinished". Or it seems like a cheap way to keep people talking about their book.

 

[MacJack]

I like it to close the chapter. If it ends with "To be continued" it feels like my journey was not epic enough if thats makes any sense!!