From 8-Bit to Epic Tales: Learn Storytelling Through Gaming

Yassie
Mar 12
3 min read

Storytelling has become an integral part of video games. Episode 19 of the Creatinuum podcast “Press Start to Begin: Narratives in Video Games” explores how video games became a compelling storytelling medium, rivaling books and films.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels

Once seen as a simple, casual pastime, video games have evolved into one of the most compelling mediums for storytelling, and have redefined how stories are told and experienced. Games have become interactive novels where players don’t just watch the story unfold; they shape it.

From 8-Bit to Epic Tales

Due to technological constraints, early games like Pong (1972) focused solely on gameplay mechanics and had minimal to no plot at all. As technology advanced, developers began incorporating narratives to enhance player engagement. Today, storytelling isn’t just an add-on, but a core part of game design.

Enter Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the emergence of role-playing games (RPGs) that emphasized intricate storytelling and world-building. RPGs revolutionized storytelling by introducing complex character arcs, branching narratives, and moral dilemmas. Baldur’s Gate (1998) and Planescape: Torment (1999) took inspiration from tabletop RPGs, using extensive dialogue trees and character-driven narratives.

Interactive Narratives: The Power of Player Choice

Unlike earlier linear games, RPGs also gave players choices that could alter storylines, relationships, and even the game’s ending. Today, it’s more common for video games to integrate complex plotlines directly into gameplay rather than relying on cutscenes or external lore.

Branching storylines and multiple endings based on player choices allow for more personalized experiences. Modern titles like Love and Deep Space (2024) have embraced player agency, strengthening players’ emotional connection to their characters. Indie games such as Undertale and Celeste also use dynamic storytelling to weave themes of determination and self-discovery into their mechanics.

Indie Games: The New Storytelling Frontier

A strong narrative doesn’t need a blockbuster budget. Independent developers, despite financial constraints, push the boundaries of narrative design, experimenting with storytelling in ways that major studios may not. Hyper Light Drifter tells its story through environmental cues and player interpretation, proving that narrative depth does not require spoken or written words.

Press Start to Write: Learn Writing from Playing Games

Video games offer unique storytelling techniques that writers can apply to books, films, and other media:

Environmental Storytelling: Writers can reveal backstory through setting and subtle details rather than direct exposition. Games like Dark Souls convey lore through ruined landscapes and cryptic NPC dialogue.
Multiple Perspectives & Nonlinear Storytelling: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) allows different outcomes based on choices—writers can explore branching narratives for deeper engagement.
Emotional Weight in Choices: Just as Life is Strange makes players reflect on difficult moral dilemmas, writers can craft stories where choices carry real emotional consequences.

Where will Video Game Storytelling Take us Next?

As technology advances, so does the potential for more complex, immersive, and engaging stories. The future of storytelling isn’t just in books or films; it’s in the hands of video game players, too.