How Has Online Gaming Influenced Storytelling in Movies and TV?

Storytelling has changed because of technology. We went from books to TV to streaming on the internet—each new platform offers something different. Now, online gaming is shaping how stories are told in movies and TV.

Numerous TV shows and films borrow concepts from online games. They use interactive worlds, well-developed characters, and multiple storylines to enhance the narratives. But in what ways has gaming actually impacted storytelling? Let’s get started.

The Rise of Interactive Storytelling

Online games allow players to drive the story. Contrary to regular stories that go in one way, games have alternative choices and endings.

1. Non-Linear Storytelling in Film and Television

Online multiplayer games like World of Warcraft, Fortnite, and GTA Online create ever-changing narratives based on player interactions. TV shows like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Westworld apply similar non-linear storytelling, offering multiple endings and choices that impact the plot.

2. Larger and More Richly Detailed Worlds

Online games establish vast, complicated worlds with lots of side stories and history. Movies like Inception and Ready Player One use similar world-building processes in an attempt to enhance the stories.

How Games Influence Characters

Online games are not all about action. They also care about how characters develop and feel.

1. More Emotionally Resonant Character Relationships

Games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War support character choice shaping. Games like The Last of Us employ this approach to develop emotional, empathetic characters.

2. Hard Choices and Moral Problems

Most games ask players to make tough choices—to save whom, to betray whom, which path to take. Shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad share the same genre that makes viewers ask themselves questions about what is right and wrong.

Film Techniques Drawn from Online Games

Online games have changed how they make television shows and movies.

1. First-Person and Over-the-Shoulder Shots

Games like Call of Duty and Resident Evil utilize camera angles that pull the players into the action. Movies like 1917 and Hardcore Henry make use of this to produce intense and suspenseful scenes.

2. Cutscenes and Real-Time Storytelling

Most online games incorporate movie-like scenes to connect playing the game to the story. Sci-fi and fantasy television programs currently employ CGI, motion capture, and real-time rendering to provide more realistic visuals.

The Future of Storytelling

The distance between the game and cinema is narrowing. The studios experiment with interactive fiction, where you can choose what to do next.

1. Video Game Adaptations

Series such as The Last of Us, Arcane, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners prove that video games can be excellent for television. These adaptations concentrate on significant plots and established characters rather than action.

2. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

The future could include VR films, in which you are able to view the story from various perspectives.

Shows like Westworld and Love, Death & Robots are already testing out interactive features. If you’re curious about how gaming continues to shape the future of entertainment, discover more about gaming’s impact on entertainment!

Future of Gaming Stories

With games and films continuing to evolve, they are more and more being intertwined. Be prepared for more films from games, interactive television series, and immersive experiences. If you love interactive stories, this is the best time to get accustomed to entertainment with gaming.

Conclusion

Online gaming has revolutionized the art of storytelling in films and television. From non-linear storytelling to more developed characters, its influence surrounds us. As technology continues to advance, storytelling will continue to be more interactive and immersive. The future is now—are you ready to find out more?

  • Danielle Solzman

    Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.

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