"There’s really no need to maintain such a narrow view of gaming. The answer to the question “what is game?” changes every year. If you disqualify The Walking Dead now, would you disqualify Monkey Island back in 1990? Zork in 1980?
All of those games fall on slightly different spots on the play-to-watch scale, I suppose, but to say that The Walking Dead isn’t even a game is a bit much.
Instead of worrying about what gaming is or isn’t, focus on what you like about games and why. It’s perfectly OK to think that The Walking Dead is lame, boring, or not for you. But to go all the way to the end and start saying that it doesn’t even fit in the same category as other, “real” games starts to feel a bit elitist, right?"

- Jeff Gerstmann, doing a better job of answering this post than I ever could. Via his Tumblr.

@Hizang said:

@yinstarrunner said:

But the thing is... games this year just... weren't that great.

I don't know what your talking about there.

• Mass Effect 3.

Yes you do.

@Vinny_Says said:

@Castermhief117 said:

You tell me if I can decide the choice between saving one life or another on a television series and make meaningful decisions that carry on throughout the show.

You know, one day they'll bring the existing concept of American Idol and all that shit to all TV shows and you'll regret that comment.

As for the game, I haven't played it but I've never heard anyone say anything about the gameplay in TWD. Nothing at all, nothing good, nothing bad, just nothing and that worries me. If we're just going to play video games for story then why have this industry even exist?

Want a story? Go read a book, they have the best stories, always.

You can't compare American Idol to a game with a story like the Walking Dead. You don't have any agency in American Idol, at least not very much. Your vote is but one of millions of others - and it's very unlikely that your choice matters. There's no use trying to compare these two, one is a reality TV show and the other is a handcrafted, scripted video game.

What you do an decide in The Walking Dead really matters and can come back to haunt you.

And yes, although books may always have the best stories compared to their video game or movie counterparts, but I think games like the Walking Dead have the potential to change that - and that's why it should be Game of the Year.

Not more of this. The Walking Dead is certainly a game. Just a different kind of game.

@yinstarrunner said:

Normally, I'd be right there with you. I've long been a proponent of gameplay being far more important than story.

But the thing is... games this year just... weren't that great. IMO. We've definitely hit a stagnation stride lately. In light of that, I think it makes sense to give The Walking Dead the award, since no games are really advancing forward in revolutionary ways through mechanics, and TWD IS advancing the medium forward in writing and story.

That said, I'm surprised to see that X-COM didn't even get a nomination! It's like everybody just woke up one day and forgot about that game.

I couldn't disagree with you more that this year was a bad year for games, I think it has been one of the best, especially for Indie/Downloadable games. Plus, there were plenty of surprises; XCom being one of them, along with Sleeping Dogs, FEZ, Mark of the Ninja, Dust: An Elysian Tale, Legend of Grimrock and I could go on, and on.

I haven't played it, but talk of The Walking Dead makes me think of:

Man, these were so awesome.

"Aren’t games supposed to be about enjoyment?"

Not necessarily, no, but interactivity should at least be a significant part of why it is considered great imo.

@Castermhief117 said:

You tell me if I can decide the choice between saving one life or another on a television series and make meaningful decisions that carry on throughout the show.

You know, one day they'll bring the existing concept of American Idol and all that shit to all TV shows and you'll regret that comment.

As for the game, I haven't played it but I've never heard anyone say anything about the gameplay in TWD. Nothing at all, nothing good, nothing bad, just nothing and that worries me. If we're just going to play video games for story then why have this industry even exist?

Want a story? Go read a book, they have the best stories, always.

@Colourful_Hippie said:

@JasonR86 said:

@Hizang said:

@yinstarrunner said:

But the thing is... games this year just... weren't that great.

I don't know what your talking about there.

• Mass Effect 3.
• Asuras Wrath.
• Sleeping Dogs.
• Max Payne 3.
• Twisted Metal.
• Syndicate.
• Journey.
• Mario Tennis.
• Black Ops 2.
• The Darkness 2.
• SSx.
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit.
• Rock Band Blitz.
• XCOM.
• Dishonoured.
• Far Cry 3.
• Little Inferno.
• New Super Mario Bros U.
• Nintendo Land.
• Halo 4.

Some people think every year is always bad for everything. I think they're depressed and project.

And/or they only played like 2 games this year and threw in the towel.

Philistines.

@JasonR86: Lots of people say this year sucked for games, I just don't understand where they are coming from. Oh and I forgot a few games off of that list too!

• Borderlands 2.
• Mark of the Ninja.
• Playstation All Stars.
• ZombiU
• Hitman.
• Assassins Creed 3.
• WWE 13.
• Forza Horrisons.
• Tokyo Jungle..
• Fez.
• FTL.

@JasonR86 said:

@Hizang said:

@yinstarrunner said:

But the thing is... games this year just... weren't that great.

I don't know what your talking about there.

• Mass Effect 3.
• Asuras Wrath.
• Sleeping Dogs.
• Max Payne 3.
• Twisted Metal.
• Syndicate.
• Journey.
• Mario Tennis.
• Black Ops 2.
• The Darkness 2.
• SSx.
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit.
• Rock Band Blitz.
• XCOM.
• Dishonoured.
• Far Cry 3.
• Little Inferno.
• New Super Mario Bros U.
• Nintendo Land.
• Halo 4.

Some people think every year is always bad for everything. I think they're depressed and project.

And/or they only played like 2 games this year and threw in the towel.

@c0l0nelp0c0rn1:

Not yet. I have a streak going.

You tell me if I can decide the choice between saving one life or another on a television series and make meaningful decisions that carry on throughout the show. There is a ton of interactivity in the Walking Dead, at least it gives you the illusion that you are crafting your own story and that your choices actually matter.

To me - this is enjoyment. Games don't have to be "fun" to be enjoyed - much like how a realistic, sad war storylike the Pianist can be enjoyed without comedic relief. Enjoyment is how much you treasured your experience with something. I treasured the Walking Dead a lot, and it's one of the few games (or movies, tv show) that has got me thinking about it way after I've put down the controller.

@Hizang said:

@yinstarrunner said:

But the thing is... games this year just... weren't that great.

I don't know what your talking about there.

• Mass Effect 3.
• Asuras Wrath.
• Sleeping Dogs.
• Max Payne 3.
• Twisted Metal.
• Syndicate.
• Journey.
• Mario Tennis.
• Black Ops 2.
• The Darkness 2.
• SSx.
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit.
• Rock Band Blitz.
• XCOM.
• Dishonoured.
• Far Cry 3.
• Little Inferno.
• New Super Mario Bros U.
• Nintendo Land.
• Halo 4.

Some people think every year is always bad for everything. I think they're depressed and project.

I haven't actually played The Walking Dead but, from what I understand, it's one of the few very strong entries we have as far as video game stories go. Now, I do believe that gameplay is more important than story, but a great story can make a game something special and I don't believe this medium will ever be able to reach any sort of potential without exploring its potential as a narrative vehicle. The Walking Dead explores this, maybe a little more so than it should but something needs to do it and it needs to be a video game.

Now, excuse me while I go rethink my views on playing a game for story.

@Video_Game_King: Just buy it already, it's really good.

@yinstarrunner said:

But the thing is... games this year just... weren't that great.

I don't know what your talking about there.

• Mass Effect 3.
• Asuras Wrath.
• Sleeping Dogs.
• Max Payne 3.
• Twisted Metal.
• Syndicate.
• Journey.
• Mario Tennis.
• Black Ops 2.
• The Darkness 2.
• SSx.
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit.
• Rock Band Blitz.
• XCOM.
• Dishonoured.
• Far Cry 3.
• Little Inferno.
• New Super Mario Bros U.
• Nintendo Land.
• Halo 4.

there are different genres of games for a reason.

Dont get me wrong I enjoyed the walking dead but with way they handled the QTEs and cursor movement the game definetly benefitted from the lack of gameplay. Make the game actually fun to play with the writing and it would have been something truly special. Mark of the ninja is GOTY imo.

The Walking Dead is basically trash if you take out the story. I don't think that's an acceptable or laudable way to make a game, even in 2012, when the definition's been loosened up a bit.

Some of the recognition it gets is understandable. But for people to forgive its severe flaws is not. This is classic flavor-of-the-month thinking; hilarious but saddening to see at the same time.

Either way, shit's weak. My GOTY would've been Wargame: European Escalation, a game that was a real breath of fresh air to the tactical RTS genre.

Normally, I'd be right there with you. I've long been a proponent of gameplay being far more important than story.

But the thing is... games this year just... weren't that great. IMO. We've definitely hit a stagnation stride lately. In light of that, I think it makes sense to give The Walking Dead the award, since no games are really advancing forward in revolutionary ways through mechanics, and TWD IS advancing the medium forward in writing and story.

That said, I'm surprised to see that X-COM didn't even get a nomination! It's like everybody just woke up one day and forgot about that game.

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

Text adventures have way more interaction in them than The Walking Dead.

Wait what, how does that work exactly?

Like I just said. Text adventures have more interaction in them.

Wait sorry is that you just repeating yourself because you have no answer to my question? Ok, I'll bite.

The Walking Dead has every single thing in a text adventure + extra, so please explain to me how a Text Adventure game has more interaction than The Walking Dead. If your answer is just "Like I said" or there is no answer, I am a happy man.

Well, you've clearly never played a text adventure, so there's really not much to say that'll convince you. Go play one, I guess?

I think you will find a text adventure has zero gameplay outside of choosing paths that the story goes in, if it does any more it is NOT a Text adventure. The Text Adventure in Saints Row the Third is the definition of what a Text Adventure is, and if your going to sit there and tell me THAT has more gameplay than The Walking Dead you are clearly an insane person who deserves to be eaten alive by multiple tigers.

@Hizang said:

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

Text adventures have way more interaction in them than The Walking Dead.

Wait what, how does that work exactly?

Like I just said. Text adventures have more interaction in them.

Wait sorry is that you just repeating yourself because you have no answer to my question? Ok, I'll bite.

The Walking Dead has every single thing in a text adventure + extra, so please explain to me how a Text Adventure game has more interaction than The Walking Dead. If your answer is just "Like I said" or there is no answer, I am a happy man.

Well, you've clearly never played a text adventure, so there's really not much to say that'll convince you. Go play one, I guess?

My other game of the year would have been a visual novel wrapped in a puzzle game. So...

Look, it's just rare for an adventure-esque game to be so popular. A lot of people might not "get" the gameplay, but even if you don't, you should at least enjoy the parts where you *do* interact with the story.

There are better examples of games with amazing gameplay and no story this year. X-Com, for example. At its core, it's a tactics game, and I freaking loooove that.

@Hizang said:

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

Text adventures have way more interaction in them than The Walking Dead.

Wait what, how does that work exactly?

Like I just said. Text adventures have more interaction in them.

Whenever anything resembling a visual novel of some kind gets good reception, this always comes up: "is it a game, is it a game". Who cares? Is it so important to keep the categorizations so strict?

Whatever man. Whatever it is, it's good. It's really really good. One of the best anythings that I've experienced this year. As far as I see it, listening to characters, picking dialogue choices, as well as enviromental movement and shooting walkers, that's all gameplay to me. It's the same thing.

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

Text adventures have way more interaction in them than The Walking Dead.

Wait what, how does that work exactly?

Like I just said. Text adventures have more interaction in them.

Wait sorry is that you just repeating yourself because you have no answer to my question? Ok, I'll bite.

The Walking Dead has every single thing in a text adventure + extra, so please explain to me how a Text Adventure game has more interaction than The Walking Dead. If your answer is just "Like I said" or there is no answer, I am a happy man.

@Hizang said:

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

Text adventures have way more interaction in them than The Walking Dead.

Wait what, how does that work exactly?

Like I just said. Text adventures have more interaction in them.

Getting hung up on 'game versus not game' seems as idiotic to me as getting hung up on 'literature versus not literature' .

This concersation has been talked to death. The Walking Dead is most definitely a game. And a damn great one at that.

But I can't enter into it until somebody gives me The Walking Dead.

@gladspooky said:

@Hizang said:

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

Text adventures have way more interaction in them than The Walking Dead.

Wait what, how does that work exactly?

It's a game. It's also the best one that came out this year.

@Hizang said:

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

Text adventures have way more interaction in them than The Walking Dead.

@l4wd0g: Somebody on the bombcast brought up Text adventures, if they are games then so is The Walking Dead.

I don't get it. So you're saying that The Walking Dead would have been just the same if it was a movie or TV show (heh)? That it "doesn't belong to the medium"? You're saying that people's choices were unimportant in relation to the experience as a whole?

The Walking Dead was the VGA’s Game of the Year. I’ve enjoyed The Walking Dead game. It has played with my emotions, the characters were unique and had a strong voice, and forcing you to make decisions quickly was fantastic. What I didn’t like about The Walking Dead was the gameplay, or more specifically the lack thereof. It was more of an interactive movie than a game, which is fine, but it seems to me that gameplay should trump storytelling.

Aren’t games supposed to be about enjoyment? Did the gameplay bring you enjoyment?

Look at Far Cry 3. The gameplay is fantastic, but the story is total garbage. Far Cry 3 is a blast to play, and the game play is what carried the game.

What I’m trying to say is the difference between movies and games is the interactivity. Remember when Ebert talked about games not being art because they were interactive. The Walking Dead is close to proving his point. The Walking Dead’s gameplay reminded me of this

You had about as much interaction.

Did you have fun playing The Walking dead?

It’s great, just on the wrong medium.

What do you think? Should gameplay trump story.