Articles for Stories in Fighter's

[solidshark]

http://ispeakcomics.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/why-fighting-game-stories-lack-substance-round-1/

http://ispeakcomics.wordpress.com/2011/04/07/why-fighting-game-stories-lack-substance-round-2/

http://ispeakcomics.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/why-fighting-game-stories-lack-substance-round-3/



Found these articles on Shoryuken. Interesting articles for those who care or think of fighting game storylines.

Admittedly for me one reason it was so easy to get into AOF, FF, KOF, and others was initally because of story. More than just great character designs, I wanted to know where it was all going, and how it all connected, since it did somehow. Other series could be considered high points, like Tekken, MK, BB. Some need work, like GG (not lacking, just unfinished or not progressive), SF, DOA, Soul Calibur. Some are fine with no story, like Virtua Fighter (kind of suits it too).

I can guess that considering the site and the games followed, story might matter a little more than for those at Shoryuken, but I'm curious as to what y'all think.

[Ashspiralingblood]

For me I like stories in fighters, when its done right it becomes a emersive expirience making you want to know more about the game. The story alone can really shape up the characters personaility through out the game series, which is enjoyable and add more connection between you and thge characters you play as. the fact that mk9 has a story that structured is giving more reason to get it, I like the lore of knowing the history behind the mk characters.  

[omegaryuji]

I see the stories in fighting games filling a similar role to the music.  Having a bad story (or soundtrack) won't discourage me from playing a game if I enjoy the engine, nor would a really good story get me to keep playing a game that I don't like (BB being a great example of that).  However, something like KoF (which, as the author of those articles stated, has even gone so far as to affect gameplay based on story developments with the complete revamp of flameless Iori, having the Riot of Blood transformation DMs for Leona and Chris in 2002, etc.) or GG (which had some great music...KoF music tends to be really good as well, but I prefer GG's) makes it easier for me to get interested in more characters.  For instance, in 96, I started out using FF characters (because I came from having played FF3), but then the story made Leona seem like a more interesting character than she looked like at a glance, so I tried her out because of that and really enjoyed using her.  Normally, I probably would've just said "bleh, charge character" if someone suggested her to me, but she ended up becoming one of the few that I really liked playing as.  Or, in GG, I tried out characters based on how much I liked their theme music, and it just so happened that Testament and Zato (first ones I delved into) were awesome to play as, too.

I don't think that a fighting game not having a good story would stop me from trying it if it looks interesting.  Even if KoF games only had practice mode and versus mode, they'd still be really fun games.  Ultimately, I'm going to be spending hours upon hours playing for the competitive aspect, not for the stories.  All of that being said, though, having a good story can help draw in more players, can add funny little quirks to the game (like the match-specific voice clips that BB has), can give spectators/commentators something to say between the character select screen and the start of the actual match, can give an excuse to try out more characters early on, and so forth.  Not a requirement, but as long as gameplay isn't sacrificed for it, never hurts to have, either.

[marchefelix]

I can get pretty obsessed when it comes to finding out about storylines. Up to the point where I scour the Internet for them.

Anyone else do that? :P

[Nagare_Ryouma]

Fighting games don´t really need a story, it is a big plus, but it is not necesary for a game to succed.
The best thing about fighting games is Versus mode. Just like in sports, the competition is the best thing about them.
I am not saying it is not good to have a good storyline, I enjoyed many of them, but it is not as important as in other type of games.
I mean, what would you prefer, to stick to the story or to be able to play with Geese?
As Omegaryuji said, I have to mention that SNK uses the story to affect gameplay as he previously stated, wich I think is great and is not common.
I  think that besides the story, SNK has managed to create great personalities for the characters, and that is what really shines.
Characters having a regular seiyuu, all those catchphrases when characters attack, evade, roll, die.
I have always been a fan of Street Fighter, as I mentioned in another thread, to me, the Zero 2 was really the SHIT...but when I compare the characters from SF or any other game to the SNK...they all look kinda unidimensional and silly.

[solidshark]

I can get pretty obsessed when it comes to finding out about storylines. Up to the point where I scour the Internet for them.

Anyone else do that? :P

Did that, still do that from time to time. Especially with Capcom fighters, it's interesting to see fans of that put stuff together. All of those Alpha endings explained from one site was damn-near hilarious.

[solidshark]

Does anyone have a favorite story within a fighter? I'd guess most people would say the new MK today, but I'm curious. My favorite still is Tekken 4. The serious tone, the improved voice acting, the way they told the story, the male Mishima reunion; it was a pleasure playing every character just to see the connections and epilogues. Quality has dropped for story since T4, but that's just my opinion.