Article on Computer Games

What are computer games? Computer games can be defined as games that you play on an computer. These games vary as they are divided and sorted by genres. These genres include Adventure, Platform, Strategy, Fighting, Simulation, Racing, Arcade, Action, Music, Role-Play,Sports and Hybrid. Much like music, genre is basically a group in which an object or person is placed in due to them having similar characteristics.

Games would be nothing without their back story however a game would be nothing if the story was told in your general 'oral tradition' The main reason behind story telling would be to get a point across or so that the individuals listening to the story learn something. Much like fables, which are short stories which often include animals that often teach you a moral lesson; and is usually told to young children. Although there are a variety of ways in which a story can be told in this article I will be informing you of all the different types of story telling and will be backing my point in terms of how important the structure is for certain games.

The reason behind a game being put into a genre is due to the games story; for example the game 'Skyrim' would be a hybrid of both RPG and action. RPG is basically a 'Role Play Game' which means that the person playing the game has basically taken on the role of the character he or she is playing and must go on an adventure. Within the game you are able to take on the form of a mythical creature or a human depending on the players choice. Skyrim is basically a game which transports the player to a completely different dimension. Allowing, the player to not only enjoy the game but to also feel as though it is their actual reality. The game focuses on the players ability to defeat 'Alduin' a dragon who's main goal is to destroy the world. Skyrim is set back 200 years ago after Oblivion, within the fictional world of Skyrim too. The game carries the open world tradition in which the player is able to travel anywhere within the game at any time; and to put off the main story line indefinitely. This being because the player must gain their characters skills, which are "numerical representations of certain abilities" As you can see that the game itself as you go along informs you of what to do next, or what it is that is expected of you. The game in terms of it's story is a legend type of story, this being because it is based 200 years ago and within the game you also have other characters who inform you of the past. Not only this but because Legends are a historical story that is usually used to show
human characteristics; such as bravery, courage, honesty, love, pain etc. 'King Arthur' is someone who shows all these characteristics. Due to these stories being based on real life people the stories are never fictional, however in the case of the game it is usually told in a Legend manner of that within the game it is not actually fictional but reality. Also, because if the game was based around a fable it would reduce the game to only be short lived. Like the game Tekken. Legends have also been passed on throughout generations as more or less most stories are; they may have been changed over time due to fit the generations needs/ understanding but none of the less a legend, is a story.

Another form of story telling would be a Fable, as mentioned before fables are in fact short stories and because of this they are most commonly used within action and 'beat em up' style games. A perfect example of a fable being used within this type of game would be the well known 'Tekken'. Tekken is a game whereby the whole concept revolves around violence, it begins by informing the player what it is that's expected of them; also a brief introduction to each character. Their are a variety of characters which the player can choose from, and within each character they each have their own personal story. The game fixates on the 'King of Iron Fist Tournament', hosted by the Mishima Zaibatsu corporation. The 'King of Iron First Tournament' is basically a fighting competition whereby people come together to battle one another in the attempt to win the prize. The big prize in which all the characters are completely blood thirsty over is control over "Mishima Zaibatsu Company" as well as being able to host the next Tournament. 'Mishima Zaibatsu corporation' translated is actually "Mishima Financial Group" The company is a giant multinational conglomerate within the Tekken universe hence why so many take part within the tournaments. This particular game is most similar to a fable due to it not lasting very long, nor is it that difficult to understand.

Cave paintings are one of the earliest forms of story telling this being because they were easy to tell in a time of no languages. The way in which they were told were by pictures being drawn/ painted on the wall of caves. The whole concept of cave paintings in those times were usually created to entertain by entailing stories, others warnings or even just for the individuals to remember memories. Sort of like taking a picture, or writing a diary.


In terms of cave paintings due to it all being based around imagery and drawings most games which can be considered to be of a cave drawing narrative would be games which are pretty simple to follow; so games like chess or checkers. Which you can now play "online" in general puzzle games, are quite basic so they can be considered as to have a cave painting narrative. One game in particular would be 'Tetris' the game basically starts without the help of the actual player, testing his/ her brain. Another game which also has the influence of text story telling would be the game '4 pics 1 word' within this game what you have to do is guess the word only by viewing four pictures; which are the clues. You are also given a number of letters, which you will have to use to guess the word. Hence the title '4 pics 1 word'

Whereas for legends it has the origin of oral tradition where it is spoken however in time it has adapted and now been written and recorded for others to hear. In terms of games being influenced by the legend narrative Skyrim would be one but many others such as world of war craft and Legend of Zelda. These are all legend narrative games because, in the beginning of the game we are given an introduction to the game and the back story which is in fact a cut scene. Where we are informed and shown something that is significant to the game; whereby the controller has no control over. Not only this but within the game each level that you obtain you are again told another part of the story which sometimes can also be a clue for your next level. Another example of the legend storytelling form would be world of warcraft; within this game you are basically a mythical creature or a warlock where you must go on adventures and tasks to proceed in the game.


In conclusion, the two narrative types of story telling are two which are unique in their own terms. Cave paintings are usually known to be quite short and snappy,  whereas legends are long and detailed however in terms of the content legends can also have pictures similar to cave paintings depending on the decade of the legend; however can still be created due to them being stories which will continuously be passed down to generations.