Movies vs. Books as Interactive Stories?
I loved Run Lola Run and have re-watched it a few times for the catchy German soundtrack and plot. Plus, I wanted Lola's ridiculously awesome red haircut. My favorite parts were the stop-frame camera sequences that showed the future results of her casual encounters.
As for Blade Runner, I thought it was well-made but too dysphoric for me. Now, I don't mind depressing books (case in point: I have read most of Philip K. Dick's novels). To fully experience books, the reader has to create characters, their emotions, and an entire vivid setting out of black print on a white page. A good author will guide the readers in this process by showing them a world he or she has created, but the end result is up to the reader. As such, if things in the book get dark the reader can just tone down the imagination. Lower the volume. Close the book and walk away.
Movies don't work like that. Since I'm so used to recreating the world in an author's imagination in my own mind using only text as a guide, a properly constructed story that already begins with complete visuals and sound effects is very easy to immerse myself in. Why bother doing that with depressing movies? Plus, movies are a lot more upfront about at manipulating our emotions. An open book without a reader doesn't exactly demand attention, but a running movie with its attention-grabbing visuals, poignant soundtrack, and emotional dialogue always catches my eye and makes me want to sit down and watch. Plus, those same soundtracks, mood lightings, etc. are used in addition to the plot pacing, well-crafted dialogue, and other literary tools that books are forced to rely on alone.
After writing this entry, I wonder if books qualify as interactive storytelling? That's probably why I fell asleep reading so many of required reading classics as a middle-schooler but really appreciate some of them now - as a kid, I couldn't uphold my part of the interaction and fully imagine the author's story.
Also, about Samorost. I can't believe I didn't mention my first escape/point-and-click game during the "favorite games" assignment: Myst!
My sister and I used to play this game for hours, exploring the world of Myst and pulling our hair out trying to solve the puzzles. Even today, I still play some quick online point-and-click escape games. I have a tendency to stick with the puzzles until they're solved, though, so I stay away from the more involved ones. Lemon and Grapes, I don't know which game you're talking about. I have played a few online games lately that match your general description, but I don't think they're the one you specifically had in mind.
Samorost reminded me of a bit of Myst, only it just took a few minutes to solve instead of days. I played it myself a while back, then for this class again. The visuals were intriguing. The environments had cute bits that made me smile (ie Samorost's adorable character design, falling llamas that squeal, etc.), yet also a slightly weird feeling. The graphics are definitely unlike any other online puzzle game I have experienced, but beyond that the puzzles are relatively standard. It's a great to escape and puzzle games, however.
As for Blade Runner, I thought it was well-made but too dysphoric for me. Now, I don't mind depressing books (case in point: I have read most of Philip K. Dick's novels). To fully experience books, the reader has to create characters, their emotions, and an entire vivid setting out of black print on a white page. A good author will guide the readers in this process by showing them a world he or she has created, but the end result is up to the reader. As such, if things in the book get dark the reader can just tone down the imagination. Lower the volume. Close the book and walk away.
Movies don't work like that. Since I'm so used to recreating the world in an author's imagination in my own mind using only text as a guide, a properly constructed story that already begins with complete visuals and sound effects is very easy to immerse myself in. Why bother doing that with depressing movies? Plus, movies are a lot more upfront about at manipulating our emotions. An open book without a reader doesn't exactly demand attention, but a running movie with its attention-grabbing visuals, poignant soundtrack, and emotional dialogue always catches my eye and makes me want to sit down and watch. Plus, those same soundtracks, mood lightings, etc. are used in addition to the plot pacing, well-crafted dialogue, and other literary tools that books are forced to rely on alone.
After writing this entry, I wonder if books qualify as interactive storytelling? That's probably why I fell asleep reading so many of required reading classics as a middle-schooler but really appreciate some of them now - as a kid, I couldn't uphold my part of the interaction and fully imagine the author's story.
Also, about Samorost. I can't believe I didn't mention my first escape/point-and-click game during the "favorite games" assignment: Myst!
My sister and I used to play this game for hours, exploring the world of Myst and pulling our hair out trying to solve the puzzles. Even today, I still play some quick online point-and-click escape games. I have a tendency to stick with the puzzles until they're solved, though, so I stay away from the more involved ones. Lemon and Grapes, I don't know which game you're talking about. I have played a few online games lately that match your general description, but I don't think they're the one you specifically had in mind.
Samorost reminded me of a bit of Myst, only it just took a few minutes to solve instead of days. I played it myself a while back, then for this class again. The visuals were intriguing. The environments had cute bits that made me smile (ie Samorost's adorable character design, falling llamas that squeal, etc.), yet also a slightly weird feeling. The graphics are definitely unlike any other online puzzle game I have experienced, but beyond that the puzzles are relatively standard. It's a great to escape and puzzle games, however.
Comments
Participation is one reason I also really enjoy games as a storytelling medium. What better way to involve the audience than to have them participate themselves? Even games with "light stories" (like your typical Mario game for example) seem to invite you to connect the dots and use your imagination to fill in the gaps.