Serialised Storytelling: A Changing Landscape

The games industry is built on sequels. They have been around since before a sequel meant adding a bow to the main character and changing its honorific – I’m looking at you Ms. Pac-man. Traditionally, two types of sequels have existed: franchises with stand-alone entries (Grand Theft Auto) which focus more on advancing gameplay and world building with each subsequent entry; and franchises with traditional sequels (Halo) which treat serialised storytelling in a similar way to movies or books.

As the way games are produced and sold has changed, however, so too has the creative side of the industry. This has resulted in some exciting projects which toy with the way games can be used to tell stories. A number of recent titles highlight these trends within the industry, showcasing how developers are tackling the issues involved with serialised stories in gaming.