Gaming as Art: Exploring the Narrative Power of Video Games
A Journey Through the Evolution of Video Games, from Simple Pixels to Immersive Realism
Video games have changed, evolved from simple pastimes to fully immersive experiences that rival the depth and emotional impact of other forms of art. What started as entertainment has become a powerful medium for storytelling, capable of evoking emotions, exploring moral dilemmas, and inviting players into crafted worlds. Video games are not only an escape, but a reflection of the human experience.
My most empathetic experience with a fictional character came not from a book or a film, but from a video game. John Marston, the protagonist of Red Dead Redemption, left a mark on me. His journey through loss, redemption, and personal sacrifice felt real, emotionally charged. I found myself not just playing through a game, but living his struggles. The depth of his character showed me that video games have the power to create emotional connections, just like the best works of art.
The Narrative Potential of Video Games
At their core, video games are interactive machines for storytelling. What sets them apart is how they blend plot, character development, and world-building into a single experience. In Red Dead Redemption 2, players are not just passive viewers, they shape Arthur Morgan’s story through actions and choices. The story unfolds based on how players engage with the world and characters. This creates a narrative experience that feels personal, as though the player has a hand in the outcome.
McMahan (2003) says that video games can create complex narratives through interactivity. This sets them apart from other media, where the story is told with no influence from the audience. In games like The Last of Us and Bioshock Infinite, narrative is not something given to the player, but something they experience firsthand.
Interactivity: A Key Differentiator
One of the things that makes video games unique as a storytelling medium is interactivity. Unlike books, films, or theatre, video games put the player in control of the protagonist’s journey. In Mass Effect, players steer Commander Shepard’s decisions, affecting the story and relationships with other characters. This interactive element adds depth, making the narrative not just something experienced, but something shaped by the player.
Reflecting on my experience with John Marston, I realised that this level of involvement allows for a unique emotional connection. In other media, the narrative is fixed, with no room for personal influence. But in Red Dead Redemption, Marston’s fate, and my emotional investment in it, were shaped by the choices I made. This is where video games’ power as art lies—they let players experience a story, not just witness it.
Emotional Depth and Immersion
Video games can evoke emotions, fear, joy, sadness, pride, that rival those felt from other art forms. The combination of storytelling, music, visuals, and interactivity draws players into the narrative. Take Journey, for example, its visuals and soundtrack resonate with players, creating a sense of awe and reflection as they move through a lonely desert.
Similarly, The Witcher 3 uses its detailed world to immerse players in the life of Geralt of Rivia, a man torn between personal desires and greater moral responsibilities. The stakes are high, and players’ emotional investment in Geralt’s decisions gives them a deeper connection to the story. This emotional depth is part of what makes video games a unique art form.
Murray (1997) argues that the immersive nature of video games allows players to become part of the narrative. This interaction shapes the emotional experience in a way that other media cannot, creating a deeply personal journey.
Eastern vs. Western Games: A Psychological and Stylistic Comparison
When comparing Eastern and Western games, the psychological and stylistic differences are clear.
Psychological Differences:
Western games often focus on moral ambiguity, individualism, and personal sacrifice. These games deal with themes like revenge, freedom, and the consequences of actions. Red Dead Redemption is an example of this, with John Marston’s quest for redemption shaped by personal loss and tough choices.
Eastern games, particularly Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy and Persona, usually focus on community, self-discovery, and overcoming personal struggles. These games highlight group dynamics, with characters evolving alongside their companions. The stories in these games tend to be more optimistic, focusing on collective effort and overcoming obstacles together.
Stylistic Differences:
Western games usually take a more realistic visual approach, aiming for gritty immersion. The landscapes of Red Dead Redemption and The Elder Scrolls are designed to reflect the complexity of the human condition, beautiful but brutal, vast yet isolating.
On the other hand, Eastern games often embrace a more stylized aesthetic, blending fantastical visuals with exaggerated character designs. Games like Final Fantasy and Ni no Kuni offer dreamlike worlds, where visuals and narrative work together to tell the story.
Video Games and Thematic Exploration
Video games dive into themes that are often complex and difficult to express in other media. Spec Ops: The Line forces players to confront the morality of war, while Shadow of the Colossus explores isolation and the cost of redemption. In these games, players don’t just follow the story, they engage with the moral and philosophical dilemmas the narrative presents.
Red Dead Redemption stands out as a perfect example of how games explore deep themes like redemption, loss, and loyalty. John Marston’s journey reflects these themes, and the emotional investment players have in his story elevates the game from mere entertainment to a profound narrative experience.
The Future of Gaming as Art
As technology continues to evolve, so does the potential for video games as an art form. Virtual reality, AI-driven narratives, and advanced gameplay mechanics will push storytelling boundaries further. In the future, games may offer even deeper levels of immersion, letting players engage with stories on a more personal and emotional level.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that video games’ potential as a serious art form is limitless. Games like Red Dead Redemption have already shown the power of video games to tell emotional, thought-provoking stories. As the medium grows, we can only imagine the new narrative experiences that will emerge.
Conclusion
Video games are no longer just a form of entertainment, they are an art form in their own right, capable of telling stories that are as emotionally complex and impactful as any book or film. Through interactive storytelling, emotional depth, and the exploration of complex themes, games like Red Dead Redemption show that video games have the power to create empathy and connect players to fictional characters in ways that other art forms cannot.
References
McMahan, A. (2003). Immersion, Engagement, and Presence: A Review of Media Effects and Video Game Research. Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 18(1), 66-82.
Murray, J. H. (1997). Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace. MIT Press.