[morelisp]

I find FPS writing is often a lot better, probably because there is a lot less of it. Yes, RPGs have a more narrative focus so more nuance to characters or whatever but you're asking a committee of 1-5 usually mid-tier writers to pump out 2-10 novels worth of text within a year under often radically changing requirements. The actual writing is usually hot garbage.

[coffeebeqn]

Games are not books or movies either. Usually the best stories are inferred by the player from well designed systems in the game. Just ask any 10 year old about their stories from their Minecraft world and they’ll never stop talking. None of that was written by a “writer” at mojang

[morelisp]

Yeah if I’m being honest my position is pretty close to https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/03/video... but I know this is way too radical for HN.

[corethree]

It depends on the RPG. Pokemon vs. Disco Elysium. Botw vs. Planescape torment.

Rpgs do not universally have good/bad writing. And FPSs like BioShock and soma don't all necessarily have less writing..

[morelisp]

Pokémon (most of them) have pretty good writing. Planescape Torment has ok “endcap of the airport bookstore fantasy shelf” writing. You’re making exactly the mistake I’m talking about.

(Even narrative-heavy FPSs like Bioshock have an order of magnitude less writing than most RPGs.)

[corethree]

You've got to be joking. Pokemon has better writing then planescape torment or "endcap of airport fantasy shelf" writing?

This isn't a mistake I'm making. Less writing isn't better writing and more writing isn't better writing either. I think you're one of those people who just likes things extremely plain. Basic text that's less wordy is usually an example of bad writing imo. This kind of writing is good for research papers but for stories it's not a good thing.

Anyway here's an example of the "good writing" you're talking about in pokemon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxeU3WwbaqQ

Most people would disagree with you and agree with me. All the writing in there is pure garbage. I don't understand how you can call that "good" other then if you have a preference for simple sentences.

[morelisp]

Simple sentences are great for simple ideas. Most video games, including most RPGs, only have simple ideas.

You appear to have linked to an anime. We’re discussing video games.

[corethree]

>You appear to have linked to an anime. We’re discussing video games.

The anime is called Pokemon. This is the source material for which all the Pokemon games are derived from and strive to imitate in style.

Any writing in a video game on Pokemon is equivalent (or worse) in quality and style to the original anime which all Pokemon games are based on.

>Simple sentences are great for simple ideas. Most video games, including most RPGs, only have simple ideas.

Writing isn't only about ideas. That's what research is about. Presenting facts, figures, results and ideas. For stories there needs to more irrational fluff. The writing needs to be immersive, emotive and vivid, eloquent, etc. Most people would agree with me on this matter.

I would say you're the one who has a different preference here.

[morelisp]

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