As ardent fans of fantasy, horror and sci-fi literature in all its forms (comic books, novels, short stories, etc.), it’s no surprise that we also enjoy video games with expansive scripts, well-developed characters and sophisticated dialogue. Unfortunately, while these types of titles enjoyed a renaissance during the ’80s and early ’90s courtesy of interactive fiction, point-and-click adventures and role-playing game (RPG) classics, writing largely took a backseat to technology and over-the-top action in the 15-odd years following. (Curse you, first-person shooters, Madden and Myst.) Thankfully, courtesy of modern gems like BioShock 2, Heavy Rain and God of War 3 (surprise – it does indeed contain more than bloodshed and bare breasts), the legacy of early pioneers such as Steve Meretzky, Roberta Williams, Bob Bates and Jane Jensen lives on stronger than ever.
Previously, we’d penned a column for Popular Science entitled Wordplay – Virtual Storytelling: Game Makers Rewrite the Script, which takes a closer look at why video game storytelling is suddenly back en vogue again. Although a number of fresher examples now exist that help underscore the trend, and in multiple areas from indie games to free-to-play online games and even casual game downloads, its points nonetheless remain fully relevant and reassuring here in 2010. Happily for those of us who grew up playing Zork or Space Quest, what it essentially boils down to is that – courtesy of game makers’ increasing maturation and respect for the craft, as well as growing mastery over virtual scriptwriting techniques – game designers are beginning to place greater emphasis on the value of solid storytelling, and finding ways to more ably apply it to their creations.
In short, just because Infocom and Sierra may be largely historical footnotes these days (although rival LucasArts and franchises such as Sam & Max and Monkey Island are still merrily chugging along), doesn’t mean that their influence isn’t being felt. You’re just finding it cropping up in the unlikeliest places, from platform-hopping games to epic action-adventures and even real-time strategy outings. Color us tickled: It’s nice to know there’s life in the old text parser outside outside of retro adventure game documentary Get Lamp yet.
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Scott Steinberg is the CEO of video game consulting firm TechSavvy Global, and founder of GameExec magazine and Game Industry TV. Hailed as a top technology and video game expert by dozens of publications from USA Today to Forbes and NPR, he’s covered the field for 400+ outlets from Playboy to Rolling Stone. A frequent on-air analyst for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, he’s also the author of Video Game Marketing and PR.