70°

Why Do We Want Realistic Stories With Unrealistic Characters?

Epic Slash writes: It always seems like stories are getting flak for characters that don’t do what the audience thinks they should be doing. If characters are meant to mimic real life enough to be believable, why do we condemn them when they do exactly what they should.

Why can we not accept characters that act like humans?

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epicslash.com
smashcrashbash4503d ago (Edited 4503d ago )

Question, who doesn't accept characters that act human? Isn't it more that people condemn the characters for behaving unrealistically to situations? I am kind of confused what the article is trying to say. Is he saying that characters should be more human? Is he saying people don't accept human characters? Is he saying that characters should make more mistakes to seem more human? I think we have reached the point where we have accepted many characters that are obviously not perfect and flawed. I also don't understand him with the hero winning. Of course the hero must win in the end. The question is what does he sacrifice along the way to win. Many characters win but sometimes at great cost.So unless I read it wrong, I really don't understand what he is trying to say.

solkyoshiro4503d ago

My point is that alot of characters don't come off as realistic or even deep. The are often shallow and contrived to serve as plot devices and little more.

There is often little room for a character to grow and discover, their is only a standard sequence of action, plot, action, climax, end credits.

Look at something like Game of Thrones. Those are some of the most realistically written characters around. They grow, they fail, they make mistakes. Some of them to dire consequences. Where is that in video gaming?

It's also why I used Kain as my example, in the end he did "win". But his journey was very human, he didn't win everything via Deus Ex Machina and everything was not wrapped up neatly. He was a character that stood out from the world and the plot because of the way he was written.

TheFirstClassic4503d ago

Eh, I'm not sure how you found the plot of metal gear solid "predictable". The first mgs especially had a very intriguing plot, and the entire series has several philisophical messages in it. And Solid Snake generally doesn't "win" except maybe in the good ending of the first mgs. Seems like his life sucks to be honest, especially considering the end of mgs 4. Kind of bittersweet really.

s45gr324503d ago

Nice article, and yes is time to have complex, deep characters in our games

byeGollum4503d ago

deep story and characters aren't easy to create. If they were we'd have so many of them... only very few games have made me care.

TheModernKamikaze4503d ago

That's what separates Video Games from Movies.

smashcrashbash4503d ago (Edited 4503d ago )

Okay first of all Game of Thrones is a long going series with enough room for the characters to grow, make mistakes and be developed. Games stories don't last as long as that and because of the short time they have to develop a story there usually isn't any room for the deep character development you are speaking of.

Secondly like I said in my post above we have many characters in modern times who not only make mistakes but pay for them. May be not always permanently scared or have a horrible demise but many times characters pay for their reckless behavior, arrogance or thoughtlessness. I think we have come very far from the perfect image hero of James Bond. For example Kratos has a complex personality that most people can't seem to see beyond just simply being angry or a 'jerk'.

Now don't misunderstand I know what you mean. I believe certain themes are over used. Like for instance instead of simply having one side be good and one side be bad in a conflict why can't both sides have ample reason for wanting to fight instead therefore making both sides plausible or have the character believe he his fighting on the right side and half way through he realizes he was the bad person all the time.

But I think the level of character complexity you are talking is too great for a game. A game is not a novel with hundreds of pages and several volumes or a television series going on for several seasons.Even games like Mass Effect's story still comes out sounding contrived and corny. It's not easy to create characters and plots equal to other media especially when you have game play and other factors to consider. Movies, television series and books HAVE to try and make their stories and characters connect because that is usually their only concern.Trying to make a character seem genuine in a game is not as important to many developers especially the growing fact that many people don't seem to care anymore.

Titanz4503d ago

I'm always puzzled by the people who demand a Zelda timeline, or a Mario games to include a story backdrop. I'm willing to except that each title for a specific franchise, takes place in different generations, or galaxies.

Not all titles need to be based on specifics.

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120°

Does Metal Gear Solid need a new Kojima? Konami have “many people” in mind, but it's "difficult"

A chat with MGS Delta Snake Eater producer Noriaki Okamura about the past and future of Konami's stealth-action series.

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rockpapershotgun.com
isarai25d ago

It's not going to be the same without him regardless so honestly it would probably be better just to try to do your own thing while staying in the same genre and general gameplay style.

just_looken24d ago

This but also the story is wrapped up only thing to expanded on is another mgs rising or spin offs.

-Foxtrot24d ago

I mean they could have done an alternate timeline directly after MGS2 which just tells a new story, that way they get to continue Snakes journey while respecting Kojimas final chapter, his Universe would still be untouched.

Maybe in this new game Snake didn't age

They will eventually try to continue the story, it's a given so I'd rather have them doing an alternative timeline than messing with what Kojima has done.

just_looken24d ago

@Foxtrot

You mean before shadow moses as that is when he was injected with fox die anyone knows that.

If they went this route then it would open up a flood gate of crap the topics they covered the deaths blood scenes would never work in today's modern games.

TheProfessional25d ago (Edited 25d ago )

The story in metal gear solid 4 was already a huge step down from the first three. Then the story in V was minimized and totally forgettable. One of Kojimas art directors could definitely make a solid metal gear sequel.

Also when you compare Stranding to Kojimas previous games he could easily be a Neil Druckman type where most of his best ideas were from people he worked with.

For example all of the MGS covers and the art style associated with Metal Gear wasn't even created by Kojima.

just_looken24d ago

comparing Neil Druckman ahole coffee fetcher to someone that worked in the industry from the days of msx should get you a ban.

Michiel198924d ago

just cause he made one game that you didn't completely like?

just_looken24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

@Michiel1989

Because he took a ip that he had no right to say he created but does then at every interview he act's he is the father of naughty dog and a god at game development even the tvshow i will not watch.

People that worked there sense the 90's crash days were thrown out over 85% from the last count 2 years ago of the original team is gone majority left when he took over.

Sony looked at all the people that made jax/crash/uncharted/tlou leaving naughty dog went meh then praised neil gave him the keys to the kingdom. Sense then the entire team has been a dam joke they only made 1 new game in 6 years just a port studio now.

Oh i also like the tlou2 mp mode they promised that was changed then cancelled but hey tlou2 ported 3rd time for pc pay pay pay again like skyrim.

Fuck ND fuck naughty dog 2.0

Michiel198923d ago

mate... you already compared him to a guy that was 16 years older than him and then ask why he hasnt worked in the industry as long as kojima. Time exists.

Do you really think all of ND will let Neill flaunt around if he didn't have a severe impact on how the game turned out? So you're saying the rest of ND is stupid that they're playing along with his masterplan to take over ND.

It's pretty obvious from your comment you're just salty about tlou2. You didn't like a direction he took the game in, stop acting like he's a terrible human being.

So they should keep making the games they make now and never make anything else...cause thats how uncharted and Horizon came about, oh wait. TLOU would never have existed if you had your way, they would be making jak n dexter 13. I rather have them try something new and fail at it than never try to do anything else ever.

24d ago
CrimsonWing6924d ago

I think someone could take the torch, but they’d really have to be a mega fan and understand the narrative and quirkiness and humor of MGS and just Kojima’s design principles. Make bosses that revolve around “themes” and “gimmicks” and bring freaking David Hayter back for the English dub.

Tankbusta4024d ago

I have been saying for years that Kojima is not needed to continue this franchise. Revolver Ocelot could have a trilogy on his own with the established lore and it would be fantastic

MehmetAlperTR24d ago

No Hideo ! No MGS !!! Just try to work with him.

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80°

Press Release: Evercade Announces Legacy of Kain Cartridge Collection

Blaze Entertainment has today announced the next cartridge collection for Evercade from its ongoing partnership with Crystal Dynamics with the Legacy of Kain Collection.

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evercade.co.uk
darthv7239d ago

I played plenty of Soul Reaver on the DC... never played blood omen.

fan_of_gaming38d ago

There's rumours of this series getting remasters, so I'll wait and see if either of these two games get one. But if they don't, I'll pick this up instead.

jznrpg26d ago

I may get this because of these games. They have some decent retro stuff but this would be the best games out of all of them so far

130°

The Decline of Stealth Games Has Been Sad To See

Salman From Tech4Gamers writes "Once a big deal in gaming, stealth gaming, all about sneaking around, planning, and staying cool under pressure, seems to have faded away."

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tech4gamers.com
DaReapa84d ago

"The decline of the stealth genre can be traced back to several factors. One big problem is that many games today sacrifice stealth for more action-packed scenes.

Even titles labelled as “stealth” often turn into loud shootouts soon after starting. The emphasis has shifted from sneaky strategies to just charging in and shooting, with stealth almost forgotten."

And that's what disappointed me the most about MGS4. While still a good game, it largely abandoned it's stealth roots that made the series so compelling. Since, I've gotten my stealth fix from the likes of TLOU, Hitman, and less popular tiles like Shadow Tactics.

Lexreborn284d ago

Hmm, MGS4 had the same liberties as all prior MGS games. You could do a complete stealth no kill run in mgs4 with no issue. While also giving a large array of gameplay variations that enhanced the experience.

No MG game except Revengeance has not been able to have complete stealth runs.

DaReapa83d ago

@Lexreborn2
True, there were indeed non lethal runs in MGS4. Perhaps I used the wrong wording, but I was more so referring to the 'guns blazing' aspect of the gameplay. This was something that wasn't easily accomplished in the prior games of the series. One reason being that you had limited ammo. In MGS4, you had virtually all the arsenal and ammo you'd ever need early on in the game by way of Drebin points. This alone made stealth all but unnecessary, and resulted in a much easier game than previous entries. That's what the article's alluding to.

BISHOP-BRASIL83d ago

@DaReapa

You could go guns blazing even in MGS1, I know 'cause I sucked at stealth at the time and I still beat that game by simply going gung ho on the lowest difficulty and replaying multiple parts over and over 'till I eventually made it.. And it was never the case that the games simply allowed you to just play Rambo instead of a spy with no punishment, you always had a much harder time trying to be a one man army on higher difficulties than just being furtive, so it was always very much stealth first and foremost, the supposed appeal to action in MGS4 was never an issue, they added more weapons and tactics which made all out war a more viable option in some parts but not all of the game and never the ideal course of action. In fact MGS4 have, just like all other MGS games (even the open world unfinished mess that was MGS5), a score system which will rank your run and the point system, like always, favored stealth, non-lethal approaches... Not only the rank/emblem is tied to playing stealth, the game had multiple item unlocks and trophies which you could only ever get by playing it furtively... Hardly anything required you to play guns blazing.

So can we please stop making bullshit up about MGS4 already? I don't know if you were mad the game skipped your platform of choice in favor of the PS3 or if it devalued your life achievement of beating a silly game by being a little more accessible or whatever else was the issue, but it was some 15 years ago, it's time to let go of this whole they abandoned stealth bullshit, they never did that, in fact, it was the second best stealth mechanics in the entire franchise, behind only MGSV, which allowed an even more complex stealth system (and even more open combat too if you wished, because that's what the increasing technology of different generations allowed) but I would argue MGS4 still took more advantage of their stealth mechanics than MGSV ever realized (largely because of open world vs linear structure, but still...). Yes, you could play like a normal shooter action adventure, but you could even more easily had played it like one of the best stealth action games ever. If you choose not to, that's on you.

Snookies1284d ago (Edited 84d ago )

MGS 4 most certainly did not abandon its stealth roots. As someone who got pretty much every rank you could achieve in that game. I can assure you, that is not the case.

cloganart83d ago

Should play MGSV - great stealth mechanics.

PrecursorOrb83d ago

In my opinion as far as modern stealth mechanics and freedom of approach I think V is the best we’ve had so far

BlackCountryBob84d ago

Interesting, I would however add that I think part of the decline in interest in many recent stealth games, Assassin’s Creed as a prime example, has been that instead of the stealth play being the fun, it’s been RPG’d as a character choice akin to playing as a mage or a thief with all the same drawbacks and things which turns many players away (upgrade grinding, obscure overly complex skill and equipment upgrade trees). One thing about MGS, Splinter Cell, early Hitman and early Assassin's Creed etc was that they were games you picked up and played with the game the feature, not supplemental to homework hidden in the pause menu.

Fist4achin84d ago

There out there. You just never hear about them.

anast84d ago (Edited 84d ago )

The novelty has worn off for 'pure' stealth games. They are too tedious. I personally like a good mix.

tombfan84d ago

Cyberpunk 2077 can be a stealth game if you want to... a pretty decent one too.

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