Video game lore is the term used to refer to the history and background that lies behind each character or scene of a video game. It is known as the whole background of the game and the most important events that give meaning to the game.
The stories of the characters, their characteristics, their way of being, everything has its reason and explains some of the questions that later occur in the game. The lore is the set of stories, characters, places, and events that are part of a video game’s universe. Lore can be explicit, meaning it is directly conveyed to the player through dialogues, texts, cinematics, or playable scenes; or implicit, meaning it is suggested or left to the player’s interpretation through clues, objects, setting, or visual details.
Why is lore important?
Lore is a fundamental element for creating an immersive and coherent gaming experience. It helps make sense of the game world, establish the rules and limitations of what the player can do, and build an emotional bond between the player and the characters or situations experienced in the game. Lore can also serve as motivation for the player, who may want to explore more of the game world, uncover its secrets, solve its mysteries, or complete its objectives.
How is lore created?
Lore is created through the imagination and creativity of the game developers, who may draw inspiration from various sources such as literature, cinema, history, mythology, science, or popular culture. Lore can be planned from the outset of game development, or it can be built upon as needed during the design process or as ideas arise. Lore can be expressed in various formats, such as scripts, documents, sketches, maps, 3D models, or sounds.
What is video game lore?
Lore adds depth and coherence to the virtual world in which the action takes place. Knowing the lore of a video game allows us to better understand the motivations and interactions of the characters, as well as the events that shape the plot. In addition, lore provides players with a sense of immersion and emotional connection with the game. By exploring the details of the background and discovering the history of the characters, players can feel more involved in the virtual world and enjoy a more complete experience.
The knowledge of lore can also enrich the interaction between players, as it allows them to discuss and debate about the theories and events that take place in the game. Sharing the understanding of lore can generate exciting conversations and strengthen the community of players.
It is important to note that ignorance of lore does not prevent playing and enjoying a video game, as the main story and gameplay are designed to be accessible to all players. However, for those who seek to immerse themselves completely in the world of the game and appreciate all its nuances, exploring lore is a highly recommended option.
What is the difference between «lore» and «story» in a game?
Lore and story are two related but distinct concepts in a game. Lore is passive, story is active. Lore covers the history, cultures, and religions that make up the setting. Story is what is happening in the setting.
Lore is more like the details and history that allow the story to exist. Story is what you are playing or doing in the game. Whereas lore is kind of the greater detail and history of the game’s world.
For example, in The Elder Scrolls series, lore includes all the information about the different races, gods, factions, wars, etc. that have shaped Tamriel over thousands of years. Story includes what happens in each game, such as stopping a dragon invasion or preventing a daedric prince from destroying reality.
What types of lore are there?
Lore can be classified according to different criteria, such as the game genre, level of detail, internal coherence, or presentation format. Some examples of types of lore are:
- Fantasy lore: This is based on supernatural, magical, or mythological elements, such as dragons, elves, spells, or gods. Examples of games with this type of lore are The Elder Scrolls, The Witcher, or Final Fantasy.
- Scientific lore: This is based on scientific, technological, or futuristic elements, such as robots, spaceships, time travel, or artificial intelligence. Examples of games with this type of lore are Mass Effect, Half-Life, or Portal.
- Historical lore: This is based on real historical events or figures, such as wars, revolutions, empires, or leaders. Examples of games with this type of lore are Assassin’s Creed, Civilization, or Age of Empires.
- Detailed lore: This has a large amount of information about the game world, its inhabitants, history, and customs. Examples of games with this type of lore are Dark Souls, Fallout, or World of Warcraft.
- Simple lore: This has basic or minimal information about the game world, leaving more room for the player’s imagination. Examples of games with this type of lore are Tetris, Minecraft, or Journey.
- Coherent lore: This has internal logic and consistency among its elements, without contradictions or gaps. Examples of games with this type of lore are The Legend of Zelda, Bioshock, or Metal Gear Solid.
- Incoherent lore: This has weak or nonexistent internal logic and variable or nonexistent consistency among its elements. Examples of games with this type of lore are Sonic the Hedgehog, Kingdom Hearts, or Resident Evil.
- Explicit lore: This is presented directly to the player through various narrative means. Examples of games with this type of lore are Uncharted, The Last of Us, or God of War.
- Implicit lore: This is presented indirectly to the player through environmental means. Examples of games with this type of lore are Limbo, Shadow of the Colossus, or Silent Hill.
What are some examples of games with good lore?
Many games have good lore, meaning that they have a rich and consistent background that enhances their world and story. Some examples are:
- The Witcher series: Based on a series of novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, these games have a complex and dark fantasy setting where humans, elves, dwarves, monsters, and magic coexist in a war-torn world. The games explore themes such as racism, politics, morality, and destiny through the eyes of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster hunter.
- Dark Souls series: These games have a minimalist but intriguing lore that is mostly revealed through item descriptions, environmental clues, and cryptic dialogue. The games take place in a decaying world where fire is fading and undead curse is spreading. The players must face powerful beings called Lords who have inherited fragments of the First Flame, the source of life.
- Mass Effect series: These games have a sci-fi setting where humanity has discovered ancient alien technology that allows them to travel faster than light and encounter other civilizations in the galaxy. The games explore themes such as identity, diversity, cooperation, and conflict through the adventures of Commander Shepard, who must stop an ancient threat called Reapers from wiping out all organic life.
What benefits does lore offer?
Lore provides multiple benefits for both game developers and players. Some of them include:
- Lore fosters creativity and innovation by allowing for the creation of original and unique worlds.
- Lore facilitates communication and collaboration among different members of the development team by providing a shared vision of the project.
- Lore enhances the quality and variety of design by offering different possibilities and resources for creating mechanics, levels, characters, or scenarios.
- Lore increases the value and longevity of the game by providing additional and replayable content for the player.
- Lore boosts player loyalty and satisfaction by creating an emotional connection and identification with the game.
- Lore generates a community and culture around the game by encouraging debate, analysis, criticism, or fan art among players.
What challenges does lore present?
Lore also poses some challenges or difficulties for game developers and players. Some of them include:
- Lore requires time, effort, and talent to create and maintain it updated and coherent.
- Lore can be limiting or restrictive for design by imposing conditions or rules that cannot be changed or broken.
- Lore can be confusing or overwhelming for the player by presenting excessive, complex, or contradictory information.
- Lore can be inconsistent or incoherent with the game by not being well integrated or adapted to the mechanics, graphics, or sound.
- Lore can be irrelevant or unnecessary for the game by not contributing anything significant or interesting to the gaming experience.
Lore is a fundamental aspect of video games that has advantages and drawbacks for both developers and players. Lore needs to be well-designed, well-implemented, and well-communicated, so it can fulfill its role of enriching and enhancing the gaming experience.