Are stories in custom maps worth it?

Ebon Heart · February 18, 2012, 12:56:05 PM

I'm curious as to what percent of people will actually take the time to read the story in a custom map, provided there is one. Many map authors put time and effort into creating custom characters and stories to enrich their maps. Do you think it's worth it to create a story? I think so (just look at some of my past maps) but I want to hear your opinions on it.

CobraKill · February 18, 2012, 01:01:29 PM

One word: Yes!

mpete · February 18, 2012, 01:02:15 PM

yes, but not to the exclusion of gameplay

lich98 · February 18, 2012, 01:20:42 PM

I like the stories i stay that yes they do.

J · February 18, 2012, 02:28:54 PM

I don't really care about stories. I mostly only check for hints and tips :P

Michionlion · February 18, 2012, 03:19:14 PM

yes, a map without some kind of reason for it is a boring map, in my opinion.

Katra · February 18, 2012, 11:16:59 PM

Almost always.

eighttailedfox · February 19, 2012, 12:15:24 AM

There are three types of maps.

The first is story in gameplay. In which the story is told by how the game goes. The most prominent example of which is Packet Journey.

The second is story to gameplay. For which every action you do is dictated with a story piece. The earlier maps in the ETF series are like this, as well as Ebon and Peter's colab map.

The third is gameplay. In which you get the bare minimum of text between you and playing. It's you against the world. No explanation. Centipede is an example of this.

Are stories in custom maps worth it? Yes, very much.

Are stories in custom maps needed? No, not at all.

The most important factor is that the person who plays the map should enjoy themselves. Through fear, accomplishment, fun, and other emotions, you can accomplish this feat.

At the end of the day, a game needs gameplay. And thus, gameplay is the most important. If your map is better without a story, then that's just what happens.

TonyP2000 · February 19, 2012, 10:42:34 AM

I think eighttailedfox summed it up best. (kodos for randomly using one of my maps for an example lol)

I think the story really helps in both getting more downloads (as more and more people want to see what happens next) and also adding an emotional aspect to the map. If you care about the characters, the moment will feel more intense. You want them to escape the hopeless situation.

teknotiss · February 19, 2012, 04:06:24 PM

Story lines are great but you can just have an interesting "hook" if your not an author.
loved the ETF series (Want More).
but some just want a game and won't care

lich98 · February 19, 2012, 05:50:43 PM

ETF *might* get a second series. that will be better layed out. BUT dont quote me on that :P

eighttailedfox · February 19, 2012, 09:37:24 PM

Quote from: lich98 on February 19, 2012, 05:50:43 PM
ETF *might* get a second series. that will be better layed out. BUT dont quote me on that :P

You CAN quote me on that. Especially the might part. I'm finishing a L4D2 project before I continue with Creeper World, so ETF2 is in the maybe stage.

That's all from me being off-topic in this thread.

Ebon Heart · February 19, 2012, 09:40:24 PM

Quote from: eighttailedfox on February 19, 2012, 09:37:24 PM
Quote from: lich98 on February 19, 2012, 05:50:43 PM
ETF *might* get a second series. that will be better layed out. BUT dont quote me on that :P

You CAN quote me on that. Especially the might part. I'm finishing a L4D2 project before I continue with Creeper World, so ETF2 is in the maybe stage.

That's all from me being off-topic in this thread.

what L4D2 project are you working on??? (is going to get his own topic moved to random discussion at this point...) you know what? PM me. Left For Dead is one of the few games I play regularly. lol.

eighttailedfox · February 19, 2012, 11:22:35 PM

Quote from: Ebon Heart on February 19, 2012, 09:40:24 PM
Quote from: eighttailedfox on February 19, 2012, 09:37:24 PM
Quote from: lich98 on February 19, 2012, 05:50:43 PM
ETF *might* get a second series. that will be better layed out. BUT dont quote me on that :P

You CAN quote me on that. Especially the might part. I'm finishing a L4D2 project before I continue with Creeper World, so ETF2 is in the maybe stage.

That's all from me being off-topic in this thread.
what L4D2 project are you working on??? (is going to get his own topic moved to random discussion at this point...) you know what? PM me. Left For Dead is one of the few games I play regularly. lol.

send me your steam name and we can discuss it on steam chat then.

Cavemaniac · February 20, 2012, 02:16:54 PM

I appreciate the effort that goes into creating a story and adding it to a map, and I read every word and punctuation mark while map modding.

However...

Sorry guys, I really don't care about the story lines and I usually skip 'em - all I need is the mission briefing. Seriously, brief is what I'm looking for.

Obliteration? Gotcha. Kill everything.

Acquisition? No probs - collect stuff.

I'm here to play the game, not read a story.

I realise this makes me a philistine!

CW2 stands up on it's own - i.e.blow stuff up, collect stuff, don't die. Simple!

The story lines definitely pad out the bare bones, but they're all hung on the basic framework of the game - which involves blowing stuff up and collecting stuff.

Which is what I signed up for...

Just a personal opinion, you guys keep doing what makes you and your map players happy - I'll keep playing your maps with or without accompanying stories...