Storytelling is an art form that has been alive throughout centuries in order to give meaning to life and create a purpose. From folktales in the old days to visual characters in Guild Wars Two, the effect of storytelling is, and always has been, vast. In the game, characters are given specific tasks. NPCs drive the narrative forward by bringing nature and the missions to life by creating purposes to support them. Each task is accompanied by NPCs that help us achieve our goals, as well as other stories that explain why we are going after our target, how to do it and even what it means to specific characters or groups of creatures in the game. Perhaps that’s a lesson that we should all actively re-enforce in society: understanding what something means to someone.
When I first started playing Guild Wars Two, the narrative was very interesting to me. I would minimize the game and google the different types of characters and locations to try to understand the game on a grander level. I became passionate about understanding the lore and cultural productions of the players. What is so intriguing about Guild Wars Two is that the narrative is constantly drawing you in. By giving personal anecdotes and explanations, the game reaches its audience on a more interactive and personal level as it creates a strong sense of understanding and community in terms of achieving targets. It makes you want to achieve those goals, not merely because you want to win, but rather, because of the grander scheme of things and its implications for both your character and NPCs. At times, I did skip over the narrative because it took too long, however, I realized that the times I skipped over it, my mission was less important to me. Guild Wars Two creates an emotional attachment and engagement between the player and their character. This initially begins because you designed your character yourself, but it goes on to expand into so much more than that, such as your character’s interactions with NPCs and achievements, as well as their losses and weaknesses.
Parts of the story were certainly compelling enough for me to engage intellectually as well because it’s almost like developing a new skill, there is so much to learn about the story world. It creates passion and by giving stories to alternate characters, locations and tasks, the game makers give life to the latter. Furthermore, as the game tells the stories in a triggering way, it also pushes your character to perform tasks quickly; it does not leave any room for small talk or understanding while you are in the game itself. You have no time for preparation. Your character is immediately on the get-go. An example of this would be when an NPC says, “hurry, we don’t have much time. The undead are relentless.” How fast-paced the game is taps into my competitive nature and draws me in emotionally. I get anxious when my character is being attacked or when I may not achieve a mission, and I get excited when I am able to achieve my mission. It’s a roller coaster of emotions.
In terms of violence in video games, it is problematic in the sense that individuals may develop violence through vicarious learning. However, I think that in Guild Wars Two it is minimal and less likely to occur through vicarious learning. This raises the question of: to what extent is violence in video games influencial? What does one do about it?
While I would indeed find the narrative of the game interesting if I were not playing a specific role in it, I would not be as drawn in and invested as I am because it is much less personal to me. However, I would still read the book or watch the movie because I love stories. Most of the story is told through visual media for me, however, both words and visual media work hand in hand in creating an empathetic connection between player and character. I personally do believe that this game is forward-looking, and while I understand why some may deem it frivolous because it is a game, I think that it brings important metaphors and stories to life that are evident in our society; it’s an interactive learning tool.
Storytelling exists in every field and aspect of life as we own our stories, our personal experiences, which make us who we are. Perhaps the goal for us isn’t necessarily to live forever, but rather, to create something that will.
-B