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[SeraphJan]

I'll start off with my conversation with the AI

Me: Do you think video games are a waste of time?

Bing Chat: I don’t think video games are a waste of time. Video games can have many benefits, such as:

• Improving cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and creativity.
• Enhancing emotional well-being, such as reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, and increasing happiness, self-esteem, and social skills.
• Providing entertainment, education, and inspiration, such as exploring different worlds, stories, and cultures, learning new things, and expressing oneself.

Of course, video games can also have some drawbacks, such as:

• Causing addiction, distraction, or isolation, if played excessively or compulsively.
• Exposing to violence, aggression, or inappropriate content, if not suitable for one’s age or preferences.
• Affecting physical health, such as causing eye strain, headaches, or obesity, if not balanced with other activities.

Therefore, I think video games are not a waste of time if played in moderation and with awareness. Video games can be a fun and rewarding hobby that can enrich one’s life in many ways.

Me: Do you prefer Story Driven game or Mechanic Driven game

Bing Chat: That’s a tough choice, as both types of games have their merits. Story driven games focus on the narrative, characters, and emotions of the game world, while mechanic driven games focus on the gameplay, rules, and systems of the game design. I think both aspects are important for a good game experience.

However, if I had to choose one, I would say I prefer story driven games. I enjoy games that immerse me in a rich and compelling story that makes me care about the characters and their choices. I like games that make me feel something, whether it’s joy, sadness, fear, or anger. I also like games that challenge me to think critically and morally about the consequences of my actions.

Some examples of story driven games that I like are:

• The Last of Us: A post-apocalyptic game that follows the journey of Joel and Ellie, two survivors who form an unlikely bond in a world overrun by zombies and hostile humans.
• Life is Strange: A choice-based game that follows the adventures of Max Caulfield, a teenage girl who discovers she can rewind time and change the course of events.
• Detroit: Become Human: A branching game that explores the lives of three androids who struggle to find their place and identity in a futuristic society where humans and machines coexist.

What about you? Do you prefer story driven games or mechanic driven games?

Me: That's also a tough question for me. Mechanic driven games are more addicting, but felt empty after playing it. Story driven games require a lots of patient while playing, but felt impactful and memorable afterwards. It really was a hard choice.

Bing Chat: I understand your dilemma. Mechanic driven games and story driven games have different appeals and drawbacks. Mechanic driven games can be more fun, engaging, and replayable, but they can also be more repetitive, frustrating, and shallow. Story driven games can be more immersive, emotional, and meaningful, but they can also be more slow, linear, and boring.

Maybe you don’t have to choose one over the other. Maybe you can enjoy both types of games depending on your mood, preference, and availability. Sometimes you may want to play a mechanic driven game to relax, have fun, or challenge yourself. Other times you may want to play a story driven game to experience, learn, or reflect.

Some examples of games that combine both mechanics and story are:

• Portal: A puzzle game that tests your logic and creativity with a portal gun that can create wormholes in space. The game also has a witty and dark story that unfolds through the voice of a sinister AI named GLaDOS.
• Bioshock: A shooter game that lets you explore an underwater city called Rapture, where you can use various weapons and abilities to fight enemies. The game also has a rich and complex story that explores themes of morality, free will, and power.
• The Witcher 3: A role-playing game that lets you control Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter who can use swords, magic, and potions to combat foes. The game also has a vast and detailed story that involves multiple characters, quests, and choices.

What do you think of these games? Do you have any other examples of games that balance mechanics and story?

Me: The 3 games you've mentioned are all great in their own right. Portal was an amazing take on puzzle solving with great storytelling. Bioshock have amazing setting and rich detail. The Witcher 3 had some of the most impressive side quests. You have a good taste!

Edit: I do think sacrifices has to be made on both side if both were to implemented in the same game. My option for both also extend to "prefer both type of games as separate games"

 

[L*][*N*K]

People who only play for stories are so odd, I mean there are other places to consume stories why not try that?

 

[RevGaming]

Both, and fun gamelplay.

And the best publisher that does that is Sony no questions asked.

 

[Zeeed]

.

 

[zomboden]

If I want a story I will watch a movie or tv series. I want to have explosive and addicting gameplay in games first and foremost. That’s why I like ARPGs so much. Loot loot grind grind. Endless gameplay loop and time sink and the overall story is pretty irrelevant.

 

[Robb]

I’ve never in my life purchased a game solely to “play” a story, so the answer is pretty crystal clear on this one.

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Mechanics driven.

Monster Hunter, Fortnite, Arkane games etc are my jam.

 

[SeraphJan]

If I want a story I will watch a movie or tv series. I want to have explosive and addicting gameplay in games first and foremost. That’s why I like ARPGs so much. Loot loot grind grind. Endless gameplay loop and time sink and the overall story is pretty irrelevant.

I love playing Diablo franchise, the play loops are great, however the cutscene and story are pretty interesting too. Looking forward to Diablo IV

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[YukiOnna]

Story driven, I can pretty much tolerate any rough mechanic as long as the story is worth investing into. I prefer getting immersed in a setting and the narrative that isn't really possible with other mediums to that level of detail, so it's nice. That being said, it doesn't mean I want the gameplay mechanics to be crap, just prefer a direction and striving to see and experience something.

 

[kikkis]

I have played countless of games, but can't say I have ever been into the story even near to the extent of shows or books. So mechanics pretty much every time.

 

[SSfox]

Both.

 

[SSfox]

Games don't need story, they're optional.

Think of it like this:
if you remove story you still have the game.
if you remove the game, you have a boring book.

Good point, Mario and Tetris are very good games in their genres, but some games stories added a lot to them,like mgs, FF, or sh, stories are definitive must for some types of games.

 

[baphomet]

Gameplay is the only thing that matters

A game that plays like shit with a good story is like watching a movie with extra, bad, steps.

 

[SeraphJan]

My continuation with the AI

Me: What is your opinion regarding some says "If I want story I would rather read a book, what is the point of story in video game?"

Bing Chat: I think that is a narrow-minded and unfair comparison. I think books and games are different media that have different strengths and weaknesses. I think books and games can tell different kinds of stories in different ways. I think books and games can appeal to different audiences and preferences.

I think the point of story in video games is to create a unique and interactive experience that books cannot offer. Video games can tell stories that involve the player as an active agent, not just a passive observer. Video games can tell stories that adapt to the player’s choices and actions, not just follow a predetermined plot. Video games can tell stories that use visuals, sounds, and gameplay, not just words.

I think books are great for telling stories that are more detailed, descriptive, and introspective. Books can tell stories that explore the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters, the nuances and subtleties of the language, and the richness and complexity of the world. Books can tell stories that stimulate the reader’s imagination and interpretation.

I think video games are great for telling stories that are more immersive, emotional, and engaging. Video games can tell stories that make the player feel like they are part of the world, the characters, and the events. Video games can tell stories that elicit the player’s emotions and reactions. Video games can tell stories that challenge the player’s skills and decisions.

I think both books and video games have their own value and merit. I think both books and video games can tell amazing stories that can entertain, educate, and inspire us. I think both books and video games deserve our respect and appreciation.

What do you think? Do you prefer books or video games for storytelling?

 

[Tams]

OP gave us the choice of both, so...

While I mainly want a good story from most games (and even for the repetitive ones, a well constructed setting), the reason I'm playing it as a game and no reading or watching it is because of the mechanics.

 

[SeraphJan]

OP gave us the choice of both, so...

While I mainly want a good story from most games (and even for the repetitive ones, a well constructed setting), the reason I'm playing it as a game and no reading or watching it is because of the mechanics.

That was initially my oversight and I corrected it as soon as I realized it, however I do think sacrifices has to be made on both side if both were to implemented in the same game. My option for both also extend to "prefer both type of games as separate games"

 

[Soodanim]

1. Just enough gameplay to keep the story going
2. Just enough story to justify the gameplay

If it's a choice between one and the other, I'm picking gameplay with minimal story. They're the games I'm playing years later, skipping the story, and focusing on the gameplay.

Story led games are much closer to one and done experiences.

 

[Aenima]

Both. Thers a reason my favorite genre is RPGs.

 

[Kokoloko85]

Games don't need story, they're optional.

Think of it like this:
if you remove story you still have the game.
if you remove the game, you have a boring book.

I dunno B.
I love JRPG’s with good stories. I love games without stories too.

Games are a unique medium where you can play and be the characters in a world, something movies and books cant do with stories
Sometimes a great story or characters just make the game so much better.

 

[Kokoloko85]

I vote both.
Interacting in a world and playing as characters is something unique games do storywise that movies and books cant do.
Also love games without a story

Games like FF, Zelda, MGS, Shinning Force, Half Life, Yakuza, Bloodborne/Dark Souls wouldn’t be nowhere as good without either the gameplay mechanics or story/characters the way they are told

 

[SHA]

Story driven games unless there's something similar to iconic titles like doom ,duke etc.

 

[StueyDuck]

RDR2 is both... so I want more of that

 

[Majukun]

mechanic..story is not essential in a videogame, good mechanics are.

 

[mrmustard]

With the rare exception of p&c adventures clearly mechanik driven.

I want to use that controller and by use i don't mean press left stick up for walk and talk or laying it down on the couch for hours of cutscenes.

If i want story, i read a book or watch a movie or Netflix.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

People who only play for stories are so odd, I mean there are other places to consume stories why not try that?

What other medium has stories you can influence? Books? Movies? I guess you can just D&D all the time…

 

[Pegasus Actual]

Mechanics... a good story can enhance a game. But games are not a strictly story-telling medium.

 

[samoilaaa]

People who only play for stories are so odd, I mean there are other places to consume stories why not try that?

exactly , you want a good story read a book or watch a movie , games need gameplay not as many cutscenes as posible

im not saying that a game cant have good gameplay and a good story , there are perfect examples of that ( 3 of them were given by the AI ) , but not when u sacrifice good gameplay

 

[Gaelyon]

Games don't need story, they're optional.

Think of it like this:
if you remove story you still have the game.
if you remove the game, you have a boring book.

If you remove story from story focus games, you have a very boring game. Nobody would buy Final Fantasy with no story. The last of us with no story at all, what's the point ?

 

[Banjo64]

Favourite story driven games: TLoU & Uncharted

Favourite game play drives: TES, The Witcher, Zelda, Mario, Banjo, Ori, Hades etc etc.

Story can be absolute minimum IMO.

 

[GymWolf]

Both.

 

[Robb]

The last of us with no story at all, what's the point ?

I think no story at all is a bit extreme. But I would still play the Last of Us even if the story was solely ‘you have to take Ellie from point A to B’, and nothing more (kinda like Super Mario which is just ‘save the princess’).

It has great gameplay imo.

 

[L*][*N*K]

What other medium has stories you can influence? Books? Movies? I guess you can just D&D all the time…

Influencing the story is a game mechanic my friend, you knew that right?

 

[L*][*N*K]

The last of us with no story at all, what's the point ?

This is actually true, which is why it works well as a TV series, the game part of “Last of Us” is very pointless to be honest.

 

[Gaelyon]

I think no story at all is a bit extreme. But I would still play the Last of Us even if the story was solely ‘you have to take Ellie from point A to B’, and nothing more (kinda like Super Mario which is just ‘save the princess’).

It has great gameplay imo.

But TLOU would never had its massive success, stellar critics and masterpiece awards it got whithout its story/characters. HBO would never sign for an adaptation show, TLOU2 would never had been controversial with no story and so on.

It's like saying fighting scenes are totally optionals in movies. Sure they are, but if you remove fighting scenes from John Wick or The raid, what's the point ? Stories in video games are like action scenes in movies : they're not required but when it's well done the game is elevated to another level, and there is an entire genre that's build on it.

 

[GenericUser]

If I want a good story, I read a book. I appreciate a good story, but it's not a necessity.

 

[HazukiSensei]

People who only play for stories are so odd, I mean there are other places to consume stories why not try that?

Because id prefer a witcher or kingdom hearts or final fantasy over a FROM game tbh.

People who dont respect story in games limit our medium...tbh these gamers are terrible for its evolution. They see gaming as a simple toy. Frat boy gamers who are too narcisistic to listen to a cutscene and are only interested in what they can control, or the next "reward".

And this is coming from someone who also loves exploring mechanics in games like dmc, bayonetta, fighters etc.

 

[theStartupSound]

While I would say, that there are games out there which shouldn’t have a story in the first place (because of genre or because the story, they’ve come up with is so generic), I kind of expect AAA SP games to have a well made story and interesting characters. Sure, there are exceptions like racing games, but an action adventure or a GTA like game without story would feel off

 

[Robb]

But TLOU would never had its massive success, stellar critics and masterpiece awards it got whithout its story/characters. HBO would never sign for an adaptation show, TLOU2 would never had been controversial with no story and so on.

It's like saying fighting scenes are totally optionals in movies. Sure they are, but if you remove fighting scenes from John Wick or The raid, what's the point ? Stories in video games are like action scenes in movies : they're not required but when it's well done the game is elevated to another level, and there is an entire genre that's build on it.

I actually think the fact that they added/changed a lot (what I consider being unnecessary filler) in the HBO series is an indicator that the story in TLOU isn’t very good from the beginning. So I think I disagree there.

If TLOU had barely any story and still sold as well as it does there’d be a show/movie made anyway just to expand the IP. Mario games have no story and there’s been both movies and shows featuring it over the years.

 

[cireza]

Video-game : there is the word game in it.

Having a good story will always be something "nice to have". Video-games rarely have very good stories anyway. You have to go and check visual-novels, or then movies/books/mangas to find good stories with some depth to them.

 

[L*][*N*K]

Because id prefer a witcher or kingdom hearts or final fantasy over a FROM game tbh.

Because FROM game doesn’t have a story, because if the story is not spoon fed for you with cutscenes my man can’t follow it.

 

[mrmustard]

I actually think the fact that they added/changed a lot (what I consider being unnecessary filler) in the HBO series is an indicator that the story in TLOU isn’t very good from the beginning. So I think I disagree there.

If TLOU had barely any story and still sold as well as it does there’d be a show/movie made anyway just to expand the IP. Mario games have no story and there’s been both movies and shows featuring it over the years.

Don't say Mario games have no story, they just don't have endless hours of filler

Man kills anybody who tries to harm a girl
vs
Italian plumber trying to save a princess from an evil fire-breathing dragon/snapper turtle hybrid

 

[kyussman]

I like some story,I like to have a reason I'm doing what I'm doing in a game.I have soured on the Sony cinematic stroytelling type of games recently(and I have played and enjoyed all of them over the years).I don't want to sit for hours while the story plays out like a movie anymore.....I'm feeling more like I want a story where I can make decisions myself as to where the story goes.That's why as someone who doesn't own a next gen console yet I want Xbox to deliver some great rpgs,they have Starfield,Avowed and Fable all on the way....I hope they deliver,I've no interest at this point in whatever Naughty Dog come up with next.I played and liked the first PS4 GOW but because of how my perspective has shifted I decided to just watch Ragnorok on Youtube and although it was a solid game I thought the story stuff was overblown and overdramatic and there was so much of it,it only reinforced my new position where I want less cinematic games in my future.

 

[SlimeGooGoo]

.

 

[Captain Toad]

I care less and less about game stories the older I get. There are a few exceptions with great stories, lore, characters like The Last of Us and The Witcher, but those are the exception.

I used to love JRPGs because they were some of the few with actual stories. I dealt with turn-based combat for the stories.

Now, I still love JRPGs, but I find the stories usually boring and juvenile. Ironically, I play many for the combat, especially turn-based combat and exp grinding.

 

[Represent.]

Gameplay is king. But story enhances gameplay.

Bioshock has great gameplay. But it would NOT be the same game without the amazing story.

Give me a great story and I will want to finish your game even with just average gameplay.

 

[Warnen]

I love both, good story with minimal gameplay can keep me going ala Walking Dead Games and my fav game of all time destiny 2 for the longest time was just good gameplay with almost no story.

 

[DemonGamerTTT]

I prefer mechanic driven games because at the end of the day how you play the game is what matters.

You can play any Mario game to this day and have fun, you can even introduce kids to it and they will(mostly) like the game...

Try that with old FF or other rpg/story driven games.

 

[Magic Carpet]

People who only play for stories are so odd, I mean there are other places to consume stories why not try that?

This is such a hard line to remove story from games.
I want sexy women in my video games but someone always comes along and says just go watch Porn for that.
Anyway I've posted my ladder of importance before here it is again.

Rules>Mechanics>Control>Music>Graphics>Character>Story

Hit all these and you get a great hall of fame game.

 

[The_Mike]

Story sucks in 99 percent of all games so mechanics all the way.