Assassins Creed II develops two narratives throughout the game. Careful strategies aim to keep the player engaged in both narratives in different and interesting ways. One narrative is related to Desmond’s current situation at Abstergo and he must decode messages hidden throughout the Renaissance setting by “Subject 16”. Shaun Hastings and Rebecca Crane, two other Anumus Operators provide information to Desmond developing this narrative while Ezio is in the Animus world. Ezio’s narrative from the Renaissance time period is developed through missions, video scenes and game tasks.
Early on, Ezio’s narrative is developed through video narratives before shifting to actual gameplay. One of the missions involves running errands for Ezio’s mother. Along the way she discusses a treason trial that his father has evidence in support of. You learn about the plot of the story within a dialogue occurring during play. This separates itself from the typical dialogue occurring in video scenes that often dominate video game narratives. The narrative is also advanced through mission tasks. Specifically, there are missions that involve Ezio delivering messages for his father. Through the game’s tasks you develop the narrative by spying on and listening to conversations about corrupt officials, or by reading messages that you have been tasked to deliver.
The multiple approaches to introducing the narrative in games can keep the player interested and engaged with the narrative. In some games I have played, like Metal Gear Solid 4, the narrative is exclusively introduced through video sequences. Many of the sequences I will skip after I lose interest in the narrative. Sometimes I just skip ahead to the game missions instead of sitting through another narrative video. Game developers should take different approaches to develop the narrative so that they also create multiple dimensions to the storyline. The player is required to piece together multiple elements of the narrative if there are introduced to the story in different ways. If they can learn through the games tasks and dialogue during the mission, players will be led to search for the narrative throughout the game and not just when the game cuts to the video narratives. In a way, game developers can keep players “on their toes.” Players should be seeking out the story instead of passively waiting for it to be introduced to them.
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