The Evolution of RPGs, Storytelling

Sessions held yesterday and today touched on the future of games and story in this new generation of games. Yesterday Microsoft held a panel with RPG veterans Hironobu Sakaguchi (currently working on Blue Planet), Peter Molyneux(Fable 2), and Dr. Ray Muzkya(Mass Effect). Between the three of them, these well known designers offered a view of the next step in RPGs. Sakaguchi in particular was vocal about his love of online RPGs, and there was some talk of differing player experiences the content-heavy titles genre. Meanwhile, on the heels of Phil Harrison's keynote, Warren Spector took the stage in a conference room to discuss next-gen storytelling. His biggest complaint was the linear nature of games today, and the sameness of experiences. Different talks, with insightful and similar conclusions.

Re:finally

[Joe Random]

You mean no more of this?:

Hero: "Hello, bartender."
Bartender: "*sigh* I've been so depressed since my cat ran away".

H: "Wow, that sucks. Can I get a beer?"
B: "*sigh* I've been so depressed since my cat ran away".

H: "Yeah, I know. But cats do that sometimes. Who knows, maybe it'll come back. Now, how about that beer?"
B: "*sigh* I've been so depressed since my cat ran away".

H: "We've gone over that already. Beer? Please?"
B: "*sigh* I've been so depressed since my cat ran away".

H: "What the Hell?! Just do your job and get me a damned beer!"
B: "*sigh* I've been so depressed since my cat ran away".

H: "I KNOW that you want me to find the damned cat already! Fine! I'll find your cat! Never mind that I'm busy hunting down an evil sorcerer who intends on enslaving the entire kingdom. Cats take priority, right? If it's a cat you want, it's a cat you'll get. Okay? Satisfied? Now how about one for the road . . . the road I'm taking to find your cat?"
B: "*sigh* I've been so depressed since my cat ran away".

H: "That DOES IT! I'm just going to kill you and TAKE the damned beer. How's THAT sound, huh?!"
B: "*sigh* I've been so depressed since my cat ran away".

H: "Gaaaaaaahhhhhhh" *hack* *slash* *chop*
[Your reputation for evil has increased by 200. Townsfolk will no longer trade with you (yes, that includes beer)]

H: "Oh Krom-dammit."

A lot has changed

[mobby_6kl]

I think quite a lot changed in RPGs since the beginning. For example, now you have to kill 50 fully 3D goblins to collect their fully 3D noses, instead of boring 2D goblins or, worse yet, ASCII characters that look nothing like goblins.

Re:A lot has changed

[Potato Battery]

Actually, while the goblins themselves have reached true 3D, I am still dissatisfied with the depth of goblin noses. I'm looking forward to the next generation of processors that can render the noses the way they really were meant to be. I think there is still a lot of room for growth in games with essential enhancements like this.