The purpose of this article is to examine how storytelling-driven gameplay affects players' capacity for emotional association with marginalized viewpoints. Story-based games are those that place an emphasis on telling stories through characters, scenarios, dialogue, plotlines, and settings. This style of game development has become increasingly popular due to its potential to immerse gamers in new worlds, stimulate their imagination, and make them feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves.
It can also be used to explore topics such as social justice issues, which often involve marginalized perspectives.
Story-driven games have been criticized for relying heavily on stereotypes and exaggerations when portraying underrepresented groups.
Many developers rely on cliches about race or gender to create more "interesting" narratives without considering the realities faced by those people.
These types of games tend to focus exclusively on straight white cisgender men, leaving other identities out of the equation entirely. When games fail to accurately represent different experiences, it can lead to alienation among players who do not identify with the characters featured within them.
Some developers have taken steps to address these concerns head-on by incorporating diverse voices into their stories. This approach involves introducing characters from various backgrounds and letting them tell their own stories instead of relying solely on tropes. By doing so, developers hope to give gamers a chance to see things from another perspective while still enjoying an engaging narrative experience.
One game allows players to assume the role of a trans woman living in modern-day Los Angeles, allowing them to experience what it's like to navigate the city as someone who is constantly misgendered and discriminated against.
Despite this progress, there is still much room for improvement regarding how we engage with marginalized perspectives through gameplay. One challenge is ensuring that our representations are accurate and nuanced rather than tokenizing or fetishizing certain identities. Another obstacle is avoiding falling back into old habits by making all protagonists white or male despite promising greater representation in storytelling mechanics.
Creating emotionally resonant stories requires understanding our audience's needs and wants and carefully crafting tales that satisfy both desires while pushing boundaries at the same time.
How does narrative-driven gameplay impact players' ability to emotionally connect with marginalized perspectives?
Narrative-driven gameplay has the potential to increase players' understanding of marginalized perspectives by providing them with a unique and immersive experience that allows them to step into someone else's shoes. The player takes on the role of a character who is living through the experiences of a specific group or individual and must navigate the challenges and obstacles they face.