I had completed Bioshock Infinite a little over a week ago. It’s a great game with wonderful graphics and some minor flaws, but the thing that left the biggest impression on me was the story. The ending and the story building up to it left me shocked at what happened. After everything I had went through, after building a connection with the characters Booker and Elizabeth, I couldn’t believe what just transpired. But after a few minutes, I started thinking about it more and more.
See, back in the day, the most you had for a story in a video game was shoot/hit anything that moves, hit the ball with a paddle or “The Princess Is In Another Castle”. But nowadays, video games have driven a new narrative in storytelling, be it from Bioshock, Mass Effect or the new Tomb Raider. If you wanted to get this kind of storytelling beforehand, you would watched a movie, go to a play or read a book. Now gaming has evolved from being just a thing for kids to a form of narrative, one that you can interact with. With storytelling changing the way we look at gaming, is it possible for it to do the same with 3DX?
Just think about it. When you’re playing a game as the protagonist, you sorta feel this connection with that character and maybe some of the characters. Or when you’re reading a book or watching a movie, they always start with you getting to know who the characters are. Eventually, as you delve deeper, their actions and consequences have an effect on you, whether good or bad. You don’t want to see nothing bad happen to the protagonist or maybe you do. Even though they may not be real, you have this connection with the character because of the way the story was presented.
In 3DX, we look some at today’s characters and think of them as just for fucking. That’s our introduction to them. Instead of seeing them as just that, we could maybe see them in different light. A character will eventually need to evolve. People will want to know more about the character, know what they’re likes and dislikes are, what their back story is and what wild adventures they’ll have (on top of the fucking). As the interest peaks, so should the development of your character.
Look at Erogenesis’ Lali. If I saw just a pic of her, I would that’s a nice looking character. But as I read the comics featuring her, I learned more about her and realized how well built she is, not just graphically, but character wise. The stories provided by the comic created great details of how the character acts, from being playful during her me-time or sex to being dead serious when going on a dangerous mission. Ero even had Lali break the fourth wall, talking to you like you’re right next to her and telling you things she tells in confidence. The more I learn about the character, the more I felt connected to her. Instead of just being a pic, they become a vivid character that I had a different view of than before.
That’s not to say Lali is the only one. There are countless others like her in the world of 3DX. Fullytank has stated there’s more to the paladin and apprentice than just fucking monsters. Characters like Blackadder’s Gisela Moreti and Epoch’s Clara Ravens have evolve from being their versions of Lara Croft into full-fledged characters. And even Umemaro’s Dr. Shoko Sugimoto has more to her than meets the eye. The use of these characters in various narratives helped in creating a better understanding of these character and their motives. Without it, our connection with the character would be minimal.
Although we have established characters, but what about those whose backgrounds haven’t been made? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of 3DX girls who haven’t been developed enough. There’s a few reasons why this may be. For some artists, it could be due to laziness. There’s a chance the artist didn’t think of the character’s background deeply or doesn’t want to delve deeper. There’s also the factor of time. There can be so many stories or ideas in an artist’s mind, yet so little time to complete them. And there’s also a change in direction. An artist may feel a character’s canon should be changed around, leading to possible confusion between how the character was previously seen and how they are seen now.
Whatever the case may be, storytelling will help provide a connection between you and the character. Eventually, I feel we’ll start seeing more character development in the world of 3DX. Maybe there’s more to miro’s Ayako than just having a roommate and a boyfriend. Maybe there’s a reason why my own character Lana doesn’t do vaginal. Who knows? What I do know is that by creating more tales featuring these characters, there will be a sustainable growth in the way people look at 3DX.
That or we could just wait for the DLC. 😀
Cotton
April 25, 2013I’m all about stories. In fact, I started doing this stuff to tell stories, not really thinking of 3dX. Then found that a lot of the characters I was creating were hot and people were emailing and messaging me telling me which ones they wanted to see in this-or-that kind of hot sexy action.
It all depends on what floats your boat. Even if you say you don’t really need a story, you still might respond better to “situations” whether their fantastical – like orcs capturing elves or what have you – or routine, for example, bad schoolgirl situation, the hot nurse that sneaks into hospital room, cheerleader and jock, and there are at least two sites dedicated to naughty masseurs, and tons dedicated to CFMN.
Situations are what keep erotic content fresh and varied, and though that’s not the same as stories, it’s the kernel of what makes a story. I personally think that that seduction is a lot more sexy than fucking, but I know I’m in a very small minority, and that’s what I try to portray, and to do that, you need a situation, and the situation is even richer if it’s part of a story. I’d probably get way more hits and eyeballs if I just showed naked chicks getting reamed, and I’ve always been tempted to just do that, but, it’s not me and even when I try, I wind up coming up with stories about how the participants of the sex happened to come together. It does make a difference (to me). I can’t stop myself! 🙂
Anyway, all of my characters have bios. An example would be Nina from “The Secret Life of Mermaids” (which I am WAY behind on posting, there is so much still waiting to be shared on my hard drives): http://www.venusislandgirl.com/chicks/little-clowngirl
Good subject, Supro. One I’m constantly contemplating.
fredfred5150
April 17, 2013The best examples I’ve seen of “simple storyline or premise genuinely adding to 3DX” would arguably be “Mrs Doe at the Dildo Depot” and “Counting Dick” from 3dgspot.com, the characters Mrs Doe and Portentia are as well realized as fully fledged as I need them to be and match perfectly to both their behaviours and activities.
Deshwitat
April 17, 2013Agreed, gaming has become a new storytelling medium, the interactivity between the player and characters allows for new dynamics. You mention Mass Effect, for me this is the biggest example in our generation of the evolution of storytelling in gaming thus far. You as the player made the choices for those characters, chose who lived and who died, and in the end i personally felt emotionally invested in the game, the characters and the series.
There were choices that were so hard to make that even though there was an option…i could not pick the option for my love of the characters. Too bad the whole thing was moot in the end as Bioware dropped the ball and gave us the worst ending in gaming history…
SinCyprine
April 17, 2013same as dizzy, i come from a rpg background, and storytelling is a second nature to the animal i’ve become.
there was a recent talk between JJ Abrams & Valve’s boss Gabe Newell’s about storytelling, cinema & video games (http://www.firstshowing.net/2013/j-j-abrams-valves-gabe-newells-full-film-vs-video-games-panel/ ) where its a bet the future of both industry is in them talking to each other.
As for 3DX… well, there is X and there aint many production out there featuring solid story; but hey, they exist, be it Alan Moore’s Lost Girls ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Girls ) or Digital Playground’s Pirates ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_%282005_film%29 ).
Of course, the hentai gaming seems to do that too, to a degree, but i’d have to play ’em to be sure.
fredfred5150
April 17, 2013I’d hardly call Alan Moores Lost Girls erotica, its poorly drawn and the sex appallingly soft.
If you haven’t read it already, don’t waste your time obtaining a copy (unless you just want to read a story)
SinCyprine
April 17, 2013bah, my copy of Lost Girls is … lost.. to a girl, aha !
i was refering to the storytelling.
as i was trying to find that interview of moore talking of this book, i’ve found that review of Neil Gaiman:
http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2006/06/lost-girls-redux.html
which may add this article & our ramblings 🙂
evolluisionist
April 16, 2013bioshock infinite…. i never played the game but i watch a friend finish off the game a few weeks back. i think my brain just broke/melted/explode then imploded.
In the case of 3DX or erotica in general you can tell a compelling deep story with sex. fifty shades not the best example but it’s popular and it’s mostly just sex.
In my head i already have a story for my characters. their wants,dislike,flaws…etc. just never really had the time or want to render it all out and write it all down
you make a very good point and i agree with you.
P.S — First Day DLC at that
Dizzydills
April 16, 2013I have always been a fan of character development, ever since my early RPG days. Connecting with a character/characters makes the whole experience more personal, which is kinda what we are hardwired to do with sex. Formulate a bond with a mate, to ensure the health of our offspring.
Most people will agree that passionate sex is often the best kind. Story telling can help formulate feelings for the characters involved. Narratives help get inside the head of the thing your fapping to, and if done properly could make all the more enjoyable.
Granted not everyone is out there to read a novel while they enjoy some 3DX, but its no excuse not to give it a try, or in the least make it an option. When I add stories to my sets I add a pdf with the pictures/text and then the pictures separately as well. If you want to read and enjoy the images great, if not you can just have fun with the pics.
Causality can be powerful erotic tool, would love to see it used more often.
The Wicked
April 16, 2013This is one of those conundrums erotic artists face with every drawn image, rendered scene, or written line.
There is a trade-off between delivering a compelling story while at the same time catering to self-indulgence of the human libido. Many artists are content with a “set it and forget it” mindset, creating a character for a quickie and then forgetting about them or simplifying that character’s thought process to nothing more than “sex, sex, sex.”
Though there is nothing entirely wrong with this mindset, there is a great number of people who believe all things need a “why.” My friend and co-writer and myself are striving to make sure we provide that “why” in our original 3DX series, “Tales of Hylore.” We are still infantile in our characters’ and worlds” inner workings, but we do not settle for less than complex.
As this article states, video games have evolved into a narrative medium capabale of inducing strong emotions. I think it’s high time porn in general should at least attempt to follow suit.
Excellent, excellent article.
hzr
April 16, 2013To me it all comes down to the factor time and us not being professionals who get paid to do this.
If this was my primary job I would of course try to come up with some kind of story to forge a connection.
But lets not forget that what we do is porn foremost and most people who look at it use it as fap material. As long as it is hot, you dont really need much story to appeal to most of the ppl checking out 3DX. You dont watch porn for great stories, its just a nice addition if it is there, nothing else.
I agree with character building however. It might be in the best interest for any artist to have some signature figure that gets the most attention and then create some kind of character profile for her/him througout the images or series of images.
fredfred5150
April 16, 2013I think a simple storyline or premise genuinely adds to 3DX, but I dont want or need to see “War and Peace…….and blowjobs” 🙂
By all means, flesh a character out with a backstory or motivation for doing what they do, but that backstory should facilitate the sex, not replace it