"Like playing a movie..." (Video Games, Part 4)

"Playing a video game is like playing a movie." This quote, paraphrased from Peter, is a very common point of view.

And I believe that it is a load of crap. Sorry Peter. :(

Video games and movies have been tied together since the beginnings of gaming. And it's a disservice to both media. They both have strengths and weaknesses, but comparing them ignores that.  Movies are better for being more fluid and carrying the entire narrative at one point without missing things. Video games are more chopped up, gameplay to at least some extent during gameplay, and players often story points.

Video games really have that immersion factor. The ability to have the player experience the environment and characters first hand and FEEL a connection connection and responsibility for the world you're hurtled into.

This comes with a...paradox on it. The story tellers and telling the story but, as a player, you're not being told it. You're discovering it, you feel as if you're writing it yourself. You get a special connection that draws you in, letting you miss things and fill in blanks that aren't necessarily there, miss things for the sake of the game. Each story isn't told, but discovered in gaming.