Why does Valve hate stories so much?
- Thread starter Zand88
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Have you ever played any of the Half Life games? Half Life 2 may have one of the best stories in games to date, not to mention characters, setting, conflict, etc.
Left 4 dead was ment to paradoy b horror moves, whihc covers the satire you pointed out. Number 2 is ment to have a much more involved story, and i want half life epiosde 3 just for the story.
the half life universe is very well woven, and while it is possilbe to play without knowledge of the story, your missing out on an entirely different aspect of the game.
the half life universe is very well woven, and while it is possilbe to play without knowledge of the story, your missing out on an entirely different aspect of the game.
In Valve games you learn the story from setpieces and your surroundings instead of having it handed to you.
TF2 has a story! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTj6tauY1JU
HL2's story actually intrigues me to a large degree, I'm still not sure how on earth they're going to explain Gman for instance, or indeed the combine advisors, and am curious as to how the story as a whole will turn out.
HL2's story actually intrigues me to a large degree, I'm still not sure how on earth they're going to explain Gman for instance, or indeed the combine advisors, and am curious as to how the story as a whole will turn out.
It does seem to have a high story to gameplay ratio [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StoryToGameplayRatio].Librarian Mike said:
Half-life has a great and immresive story dude, and what's wrong with linearity.Zand88 said:Seeing that they are working on another Left 4 Dead, I'm starting to wonder why Valve have made such point of removing most or all story from there games
They are, after all, behind Team Fortress, Counter-Strike and Left 4 Dead; all games focus on online gaming, that lack a story/campaign mode (Before you rule L4D as an exception, I'll just point out that the little story to that game seems satirically flat).
I suppose it makes sense, since most of the audience is jaded about stories in games. Most games, especially shooters, seem to have a flimsy story to tie the gameplay into a neat singleplayer experience, but are usually lengthier and less linear. Valve is different in that they are completely devoid of that system. Even in Half-Life and other games from Valve, the story seems to simpler, taking a backseat to the mood and atmosphere.
So, any one else notice? Or, am I over-analyzing?
Also, Left 4 Dead doesn't have a story, stop contradicting me!
And that is what valve does. They make you the person that fills in the story. I know it's a bit of a cop out to say it but it is the truth. In the Half Life 2 Episode 2 cometary they note that they like leaving little hints around and seeing what the players think of it. And Dave is right the atmosphere takes a lot of work and is story enough.Useful Dave said:
Team Fortress 2 does have a story, despite it being multiplayer only (like counterstrike, so why do you even count it?).
I used to think it was an artistic choice, but I've now come to believe it's because of pure laziness.
I think Call of Duty is a good example of a multiplayer game with a good story mode, granted it's not the greatest storyline ever created but it made the experience so cinematic and believable.
The thing about multiplayer games like these is that they don't need a story to enjoy them because the multiplayer focus can keep you interested for years, the only problem is if it's the primary focus the game lacks depth and it hardly inspires creative genius.
I think Call of Duty is a good example of a multiplayer game with a good story mode, granted it's not the greatest storyline ever created but it made the experience so cinematic and believable.
The thing about multiplayer games like these is that they don't need a story to enjoy them because the multiplayer focus can keep you interested for years, the only problem is if it's the primary focus the game lacks depth and it hardly inspires creative genius.
Yeah that was nice of them. I noticed that most of the time people will have been playing it for way too long and they rush the new guy into the game constantly badgering him to keep up. Of course there isn't enough story in the game to qualify as a full story that isn't done by like any other zombie film in existence, but the story is told in the little details throughout each level like the previously mentioned covered bodies and graffiti. While the developer commentary mode does make note of this, it feels like you're watching a movie rather than playing a game just to hear or see, and appreciate these little bits of story along the way. Having a live tourguide with you helps mitigate the loss in immersion.Cpt_Oblivious said:
They seem to care not for stories because they develop "games." In a "game" the most important part of it should be the "game play." Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a story in a game, but the "game play" is the most important part, and they do well at that.