October 26, 2007 6:00 AMGamesIndustry.biz has posted a new article describing a recent Will Wright lecture on the differences between games and other forms of storytelling. The legendary game designer's discussion also touched on concerns about violence in video games and design philosophy."Well, in some senses I think games have a very different evolutionary heritage from what I call linear storytelling media. "Games are rooted as far back, if not further, than the printed word, and sports as well, then the idea of toys and general play. "Now if you actually look at play, obviously it evolved for a reason. Animals play in the wild, it's a form of education – they play out little scenarios which help them survive into the future. "And then you can look at babies and one of the first things they do is to start interacting with the real world, they wave their arms around and at some point they understand that they can control this thing that's beating them in the face, that they can pick up things and manipulate them - then interactivity with the environment is their first natural form of education." "Storytelling is a little bit different, it's based upon these functions that we have as humans – language, imagination and empathy, and these are all prerequisites for story, and in some senses it's learned behaviour."For the rest of the article click over to the site below.GamesIndustry.biz: Will Wright, Games Are Not Stories
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