I rather enjoyed a recent guest editorial at GameSpot titled “The Low, Low Bar of Being As Good As Television“. The author laments on the overall poor quality of writing and storytelling in games. Sadly, I have to agree. The most telling part of piece is the “quick poll” where over 71% of the 1300+ gamers responded:

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for a game that could move me as well as entertain me.”

Only 1% said: “I’m just in it for the action!”

I think it is further telling that so many games are still developed without serious consideration to the quality of writing/writer. This is compounded by the fact that many complain of the overall lack of creativity within the current mainstream game industry.

Like Noah Wardrip-Fruin at GTxA, I am glad more folks in the community are discovering the work of the Writing Special Interest Group of the IGDA. They put out a kick-ass guide to game writing a few months back.

(A little known fact is that it was the original guys from the SIG that lobbied for writing to be recognized in the Game Developers Choice Awards.)

Anyway, if the Princeton English department is getting involved, I have no doubt things will improve :)