So, this is part of a procedure I do quite often so I can learn the basics about writing a videogame story (I've come to call it "Story Testing"). The idea is mainly about taking the theme (meaning style, gameplay mechanics etc.) of a game and the story (which means characters, general story or even dialogues) and think about interesting ways of how you could tweak or improve these elements to make a better game (obviously this is very subjective and a good story can differ greatly from person to person).

For example, I've been looking at some trailers for The Wind Waker HD (which will be released in October) and I've been thinking that a pretty cool character that's been missing from the game is the romance of Link's sister. I imagine him as a kind of a goofy guy (kid really) that after Link's sister has been taken he embarks on a journey of his own to save her. Link could meet him at certain points in the game (for example at Windfall Island) and he could act as a funny "wanna-be-of-help" character but that could give Link viable info on certain occasions.

Another idea, I've had since childhood, is a game where Wario (instead of Bowser) abducts princess Peach and asks a ransom from Mario to set her free.

Over the years I've had a great number of ideas of how a game's story could improve and I think it's a great exercise to think "outside of the box" and in the process become a better writer yourself. So, I'm posting this topic as an "inspirational ground" where we can use existing stories and characters to learn the essential principles of writing. If anyone else has some ideas that he thinks would make for a(n) (more) interesting game, or has some feedback for ideas already posted, please set your mind free below.

I think that most game designers can think of at least 20 different what-if outcomes of already existing stories in about 1 hour. The clue is to try to come up with an entirely unique storyline from bottom up. I think your procedure could be a nice way to find those stories though, like first thinking about existing games and alternatives within that, and then create something unique based on it.

- What if Link and Ganon were actually the same person and Link realized this at the end of a Zelda game?

- What if the Ganon that Link fought was actually Zelda in disguise, as a puppet under the control of the real Ganon. So he makes you kill the one you're trying to save.

- What if Link is actually Zelda, and in reality it's Zelda trying to save Link from the King, and Ganon is her benevolent father? and Epona is a dragon smoking a pipe.

One of the great qualities of Quentin Tarantino, for instance, is his ability to take the viewers expectations and turn it completely upside down.

He's a master of the "WTF moment".

Well, no offence, but I personally think that none of the three proposals would fit in the Zelda Universe. Irrelevant to that, though, I think that it's generally kind of oblivious to decimate the central character like that at the end of a game when all the psychological attachments between the player and that character (which are the most important) have beed developed and solidified. Perhaps a Butterfly Effect or or a Tarantino videogame would be more appropriate for that kind of stuff, although I still think that watching a movie for 2 hours is completely different than controlling a character for 25 (also what would happen gameplay wise?). Tastes differ though so there could be some audience there for you.


As for the topic (deriving ideas for stories from existing games) I believe there's no better way for someone to learn or improve himself as a writer, than by analyzing stories of famous and successful videogames and trying to improve on them. This is just a place where one could come and get inspired in ways to make his stories better.

We all have moments in video games when we wish things didn't go that way but everything outside the game is nothing but fan fiction :) I think taking existing stories and trying to reshape a bend somewhere is pretty cheap way to spend your talent or demonstrate your creativity.

It's like trying to improve Mona Lisa. The artist has made it that way for whatever reason so it's faux-pas. But you are fee to paint something on your own with similar themes if you want to take on the challenge of topping the original.

So, this is part of a procedure I do quite often so I can learn the basics about writing a videogame story (I've come to call it "Story Testing"). The idea is mainly about taking the theme (meaning style, gameplay mechanics etc.) of a game and the story (which means characters, general story or even dialogues) and think about interesting ways of how you could tweak or improve these elements to make a better game (obviously this is very subjective and a good story can differ greatly from person to person).

I accept the post you wrote as a quite ok and I 'agree' to that. Personally I am a programmer not designer but I am also player and sometimes (If I play really long in some favourite game) I do such thinking you write but not only about the story but about the whole game, what would I add or change to improve it (I rarely do some thinking about stories though maybe i should (IM overworked got to small amount of time to some activities))