What's a game without a story?

[wiktor]

I was talking to my "friend" and he was saying that he doesn't care much for a story in game, now me, I would say that without a story, a game isn't much. I enjoy a multiplayer game as much as the next guy such as Battlefield or Halo, but It should have a decent story too. My "friend" said "I don't want to play a film", But don't you think that stories are an important part of a game? Is my friend just strange or do you guys agree with him.

(Whilst we are on the topic of game story, can you name any games with a good story?)

[A7Ranger]

Brahmin's shat if you tell me, stories can relieved the mistakes of the old, and promises a better future for the brighter, instead of trying to cause an endless paradoxing circle.

[kdodds]

Each has their place. Personally, I prefer a game with a story. At the very least, it keeps the game interesting. What's a game without a story? Well, the Mario games come immediately to mind, which I can't stand, even though I am reasonably good at them. For me, a game without a story is incredibly boring. It's the same repetitive nonsense over and over again. However, I would say this changes a bit for many people when they are competing against other people. Then, it's more like a sport than a game. I've played games like that in the past, and wasn't terrible at them, but just don't have much interest in them to play them more than infrequently. Too many of them devolve into free-for-alls full of smurfs, cheaters, and noobs. That or some Red Vs. Blue scenario where a bunch of folks gather round and chit-chat while accomplishing nothing in game. Anyway, both have their place and it's a subjective call.

[76561198191258969]

mirror's edge

[PD Onjax]

A game without a story is just...well...pointless. I mean I agree with WiktOS shooters are fun and all but, would FF be fun without a story? People have been trying to confirm Half Life 3 for years but if it didn't have a plot line...well would people even play the sequel? Amnesia is all about storyline (if you haven't played then go play it). Without the storyline Amnesia is just hiding and running. I could go on for hours but I think I will end my point here and with this.
If you like stories without plots...Well then you've met with a terrible fate haven't you?

[supertrooper225]

Stories can fit a game well. Other times they are simply not the point. Let's use Diablo for an example....yes...it has a story. But it pretty much amounts to "hero gets powerful and goes on a mission to kick the devils ass", and that is about it. So why do people play Diablo for years and years?

The progression is the answer. Building a character. Getting better gear. Becoming more powerful. That is the real goal of Diablo...not just getting to the end of a plot.

In this way, Diablo transcends the limitations of a plot based game. You aren't limited to experiencing the same story over and over. You can play through the game about 5 times with one character on different difficulty levels...still building towards the level cap.

But Diablo is a very 'gamey' game. Games have different carrots on a stick, plot is only ONE of them.

[♠ZerØ♠]

Not every game requires a deep tale as the back drop for the game. Not once did I say "Oh boy, I sure wish I knew what was going on in this warzone in Battlefield 3" Some people like a lot of exposition and background, daring tales of monsters and heros. Some people want to grab coins and shoot people.

Both are valid forms of games, and I play both types.

[Tedefred]

Minecraft

[Eimi]

[Dogui]

Most games don't really need a good story, or even a story at all, even being a pleasant surprise if there's one. Story-driven games (well, duh) such as "J"RPGs and Point and Click adventures are part of the exception for me.

But even for a story-driven game, a good gameplay + generic plot is better than the opposite IMO

Tbh, i used to give a lot more importance to the story of a game when i was younger. But it's harder and harder to find really interesting stories in a game (or any other mean of fiction) as you age.

[The Rock God]

Civ5 came out nearly four years ago, and is still one of the top played games on Steam (#6 today in peak players). Never had a story, never needed one.

[HorrorGamer]

A can of soup.

[RobotParty]

Stories help give a reason to play a game. Someone ealier said Amnesia, which without a story is literally just running and hiding. There's also RPG games which without a story would literally be walking around a world fighting random enemies and occasionally buying adventurer-esque items, and the occasional side-quest stuff. Mirror's Edge without a story is just running around and jump off stuff. A parkour simulator, if you will

[Val]

Counterstrike

[Tanya Degurechaff]

your friend should be banned from games for life

[nyamo]

What's anything without a story? Less interesting to many.
Then there's the few percent who find enjoyment in dull things, like me.