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Harletron

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Harletron

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JARETH JARETH JARETH JARETH JARETH JARETH

...jay?

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Harletron

57

Forum Posts

259

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0

Followers

Reviews: 0

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Bioshock, the original Bioshock makes a point very well.

In Bioshock there is the big "would you kindly" twist near the end of the game. This is a great narrative trick that is basically mocking the player and all video games that purport to be "open world."In the game there is a big yellow arrow always pointing you to the next objective. Areas in the game are also sort of wide funnels pushing you from one place to another. You can deviate and learn a bit more about the world, and pick up ammo, but the arrow is always there.

It's not until that second half that the game actually opens up, once the wool has been lifted. Now you are able to return to any area of the game, and explore a huge new area. But at the other end of this area is your objective, and your big yellow arrow tells you go there and ignore all detours. Many players do just that. Players are by this point mighty, and any additional padding is unnecessary. You've been funneled down a path, told to do this. In fact, the game has weapon upgrades in limited supply, so you are told to use them specifically on weapons you prefer. Plasmids can be upgrade to, but the resources there are also limited. At this late stage in the game you are given the option to seek out tools to augment yourself further, but many players simply sprint to the finish.

Bioshock is saying something bigger about narrative and structure in games, not just in it's story, but it's execution. Players moving through it are lead by the nose to the next objective to tackle, like a dog on a leash. But late in the game when the leash is removed players will still follow knowing nothing else. Because that's how narrative in video games works. You follow or stagnate, the end. Like Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, the open world gameplay is fun, but if you wanna see more, you have to do as you're told. Bioshock pulls the leash of at the very end and what does the player do? What they were supposed to do, what they're trained to do, win the game. Like autopilot brainwashed soldiers.