Poll: Regarding dialogue...

[SckizoBoy]

Simple question this time... sort of:

Technical and/or philosophical discourse in fiction, yay or nay?

Does it work in some media, not in others? (probably the case, but I'm feeling lazy...)

 

[Thedutchjelle]

Regardless of context?

I don't think the two protagonists suddenly discussing the ethics and philosophy of war while reloading behind a container would charm audiences that much.

I like some sort of technical/philosophical dialogue, especially when it is correct, as it shows that the director/writer doesn't think that his audience is stupid. For example,I never finished Mass Effect 1, but I liked all the little flavour texts that came in that pocket encyclopedia. The debate between JC Denton and Morpheus in Deus Ex was also fantastic.

But the context certainly matters. It would feel out of place to jam such things into everything.

I'm not entirely sure what you're getting at with your question to be honest.

Captcha: Pod bay doors. Err, can't let you do that Dave?

 

[Genocidicles]

The debate between JC Denton and Morpheus in Deus Ex was also fantastic.

Yeah, but the massive discussion about democracy with some random bartender in China did seem kind of out of the blue.

 

[Thedutchjelle]

The debate between JC Denton and Morpheus in Deus Ex was also fantastic.

Yeah, but the massive discussion about democracy with some random bartender in China did seem kind of out of the blue.

Perhaps, but I think it would fit a game such as Deus Ex better than, I dunno, Duke Nukem.

 

[MetalMagpie]

It works the most often when it's actually relevant to the plot. But if done very well, it can still work even if it isn't. (And if done badly, it can still come over as condescending/preachy/arrogant/etc. even if it is essential to the plot.)

I have more time for it in books and films (where I'm there to watch/listen/read) than I do in video games (where I'm there to press buttons).

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Spec Ops The Line did all this really well. They managed to incorporate it into the gameplay quite nicely

 

[Zhukov]

"Regardless of context" is a rather broad phrase.

When done correctly it can of course work. For example, in the film Crimson Tide there is a scene where the two main characters (the captain of a nuclear submarine and his 2IC) have a discussion about the nature of warfare. They quote Clausewitz and everything.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Deus Ex 1 made me loose my shit at times. I played it as a young brat so the whole conspiracy and philosophy thing was new to me, so after that I went through a phase...
Needless to say, yes. Defiantly yes.

 

[RagTagBand]

Regardless of context? No, That's terrible, shitty, pretentious writing.

 

[blookies]

Anything that adds depth to a game's story is good. I am a firm believer in the gaming industry opening up to more games that are on the same scale of depth as a good book.

Gaming is a form of media, why hasn't it allowed itself to become revered among movie critics and book critics? (phrased poorly)

 

[Woodsey]

The debate between JC Denton and Morpheus in Deus Ex was also fantastic.

Yeah, but the massive discussion about democracy with some random bartender in China did seem kind of out of the blue.

And hilarious, especially with the 'Australian' accent.

OT: Almost all dialogue ever would be shit without acknowledging the context. That's how you get genuine pretentiousness, and not the "oh, it's got a higher theme, how pretentious" idiocy that's become rampant.

Spec Ops The Line did all this really well. They managed to incorporate it into the gameplay quite nicely

I think (think) he's talking about actually having characters talk about it. Spec Ops refers to a philosophical debate, but the characters themselves don't discuss it. What they say lets us discuss it, if you see what I mean.

Something like KotOR 2 has its characters actually talk about a number of the game's themes.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

This post used to be a gigantic wall of text. Then I realized what might be the root of the problem:

If two characters discuss some moral issue, please make sure that if they can't come to a conclusion, I can't come to one, either. Or, if they do come to a conclusion, make sure it isn't the one I came to in sixth grade...and figured out was stupid in seventh.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Simple question this time... sort of:

Technical and/or philosophical discourse in fiction, yay or nay?

Does it work in some media, not in others? (probably the case, but I'm feeling lazy...)

"What is the nature of a man?"

It really depends on the context. And I think philosophy has a better place (as that is open to anyone) than highly technical stuff (which rapidly turns into technobabble) in most fiction, science fiction included.

 

[Tahaneira]

Oh hell yeah. If it didn't work, I never would have been able to get through Ghost in the Shell.

But context is important. I understand you're asking if the concept alone is objectionable, but context is always important.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Regardless of context? Wat? It's probably going to annoy and/or confuse some people if the main character in Twilight suddenly stopped brooding and crying and started debates over Nihilism, Fatalism and Solipsism. Or if Marcus Fenix started to talk about the nature of truth mid gunfight.

Honestly I think you need to rephrase your question. I love it when people discuss philosophy in fiction, or even if they just use a philosophy in a game. Like when Persona 4 throws not only the Nietzsche theory of truth being impossible to truly know, but then expects you to defeat said theory during gameplay.


Yet come on, people don't want their Expendables 2 suddenly interrupted by Arnie breaking down the core fundamentals of Utilitarianism do they?

I can throw examples at you all day. Rephrase the damn question. XD