"What Do You Do?"

Wednesdays lecture very much reminded me of an amazing feature of games which other media forms haven't quite achieved with the same effect. Video game narratives are able to frame their points in such a way that they reach beyond the screen and ask you the important question; what do you do?

There have been times in games where I had to decide the fate of an entire extremist race of aliens (Mass Effect 2). There have been times where I was given a pistol in my hand and asked whether to pull the trigger and kill a pedophile (Heavy Rain). There have even been times where I had to weigh up my options and consider whether to sacrifice a town full of civilians or to doom a military outpost tasked with defending them (Missile Defence).

There have been numerous times where I have sat in the cinema after the film and personally considered, what would I do if I was caught in the same situation. Zombie movies and survival apocalypse movies are best in doing this. But movies as have been stated over and over again have no agency. The films dont ask you but rather shows you instead. Games literally put you into the situation and ask you to choose.

This is what I love about games.

Extra Credits also makes note of this in a few of their videos. If you haven't seen them yet, please do! These guys are great!

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/narrative-mechanics

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/enriching-lives

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/the-role-of-the-player