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The GDC 2024 Grab Bag Episode

May 6, 2024

In a lively discussion, Ben Starr, known for Final Fantasy XVI, Alexa Ray Corriea, a writer on Black Panther, Kait Tremblay, narrative director at Soft Rains, and Kelsey Beachum, a narrative design expert, share their unique gaming journeys. They explore nostalgic first video game crushes, favorite villains, and the emotional depth of choices in titles like 'Mass Effect.' The group reflects on hobbies outside gaming, the importance of community in storytelling, and memorable gaming memories that inspire their creative processes.

02:02:29

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Quick takeaways

Storytelling is vital in video games, forging emotional connections through character development and immersive narratives that enhance player engagement.

Guests reminisced about their first video game character crushes, illustrating how fictional figures evoke strong emotional attachments during formative years.

Diverse game of the year favorites were shared, showcasing the unique tastes and personal experiences that influence developers' enjoyment of gaming.

Participants emphasized the importance of hobbies outside game development, highlighting how these interests foster balance and creativity in their professional lives.

Deep dives

The Importance of Storytelling in Video Games

Storytelling plays a crucial role in video games, creating emotional connections between players and characters. Various guests shared their experiences and thoughts on how narrative influences gameplay, with many emphasizing the significance of character development and world-building. For instance, an actor discussed how a well-crafted narrative can immerse players, making them feel a part of the game's universe, and how discovering these stories can impact one's perception of the medium. Others noted how games like 'Journey' encapsulate storytelling through mechanics and visuals rather than dialogue, demonstrating a unique form of interaction.

Intro

2min

Gaming Journeys and Reflections

22min

Exploring Moral Complexities in Video Game Choices

4min

Connections in Gaming Narratives

26min

Gamers' Hobbies and Industry Insights

22min

Exploring Game Narratives and the Art of Storytelling

4min

Exploring Video Game Connections

12min

Crafting Stories: The Art of Game Narrative

15min

Exploring Emotions and Inspirations in Gaming Narratives

5min

10.

The Power of Storytelling in Gaming

11min

Hey hey! We're back with our second episode that we recorded at this year's GDC, and it's a doozy! In a switch from how we normally do things, we brought a grab bag of simple questions to the conference and hit up people who were free, and so y'all get to see how everyone's answers differed. In our first group, we had Ben Starr (actor, Final Fantasy XVI), Alexa Ray Corriea (senior writer at Cliffhanger Games on Black Panther), Kait Tremblay (narrative director at Soft Rains), and Kelsey Beachum (writer / narrative designer). In our second group (starting at 35:21) we had Adam Dolin (writer), Kate Dollarhyde (senior narrative designer at Obsidian Entertainment), and Kelsie Mhoon (senior narrative designer at Obsidian Entertainment on The Outer Worlds 2). Our third group (starting at 1:19:39) had Emma Kidwell (writer at Firaxis), Nessa Cannon (game writer), and Calliope Ryder (lead producer Weta Workshop on Tales of the Shire). And we closed things out (at 1:47:33) with Chandana Ekanayake (co-founder / creative director of Outerloop Games, and director of Thirsty Suitors). Topics include: hobbies that aren't related to game development, current game of the year, favorite villains / antagonists, a time you messed up and what you learned from it, how you stay positive, games you keep returning to, favorite choice you've ever made in a game, people in this industry who did something nice for you, favorite NPCs, games you're always referencing that nobody else has ever heard of, games that made you think differently about something, first game you played where the story really affected you, what you'd force devs to change during production, games you wish you'd gotten to work on, how to get team members to read documentation, something in your process that saves a ton of time, advice for people wanting to get into game narrative, and so SO much more it's kinda insane!!!

Our Guests on the Internet

Group 1: Ben Starr, Alexa Ray Corriea, Kait Tremblay, Kelsey Beachum

Group 2: Adam Dolin, Kate Dollarhyde (wants you to play Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire), Kelsie Mhoon (wants you to play Jak 2)

Group 3: Emma Kidwell (wants you to play Hindsight and Midnight Suns), Nessa Cannon (wants you to wishlist Star Trucker), Calliope Ryder (wants you to wishlist Tales of the Shire)

Group 4: Chandana Ekanayake (wants you to play Thirsty Suitors)

Stuff We Talked About

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth