Why David Cage's Visually-amazing Kara Demo Sadly Also Sums up the Worst of Video Game Story-telling

GR - So Quantic Dream’s David Cage has done it again. Two years after Heavy Rain, he’s sent the gaming world into a tizzy with another visually stunning demo of another beautifully rendered female character being all dramatic and sad. He’s espousing more leaps forward for mature video game narrative. He’s talking about setting new standards for dramatic story-telling. But once again, while the new tech being used is undeniably impressive, personally I also see a very prominent naked emperor putting nice graphics before much more important things.

[NukaCola]

This article clearly sums up that the writer is not on the same wavelength as David Cage and that is sad. What QD does is fresh and original. Indigo Prophecy and Heavy Rain may not have the tightest stories with their player driven experiences, but they offer something no other games do and to ridicule someone who is trying to think outside the box in an industry that was created by people who saw games as a form of artistic expression, is disgusting. Not one developer 30 years ago thought the highlight of future video games was going to be generic garbage shooters with no originality. And those today who get sh*t on by immature journalists deserve better.

[GribbleGrunger]

absolutely agree! well put.

[darthv72]

i really wasnt overly impressed with that demo. I mean it was nice but I can recall seeing ATI tech demos back when the Radeon 9800 Pro was first introduced and it was visually stunning for the time.

Now i am just spoiled and everything from then has been simply evolutionary instead of revolutionary.

[BitbyDeath]

Probably is just you.

[Hellsvacancy]

DOH! looks like Darthv72 missed the point of the video, im an everyday dope smoker and i got what the Kara tech demo was tryin to show

Wanna hint? it wasnt about the graphics

[iceman06]

@Hells...I think that you are right. I didn't view the "tech demo" as such. But, more as a high concept video. It was a means of showing off some new tips and tricks that can be performed with the new and updated engine, as well as displaying the overall FEEL for what the game has in store. It's very much like the taxidermist level. While this wasn't the overall story, it gave a pretty good idea of what some of Heavy Rain would be about. In this respect, I think the new trailer was a complete success.

[Godmars290]

What? An internet games journalist writing speculative concerning game and role playing elements based on a tech demo meant to show off the graphical abilities of an engine?

And you're surprised?

[adorie]

+1 Quantum

[Parapraxis]

I'd like to see he author put together and convey an emotional story within the span of a 7 minute tech demo.
I doubt it would even be worth discussing.
There is plenty of great video game story telling, and KARA by far does not "sum up the worst" of them.
Seems like he has an axe to grind and thinks his own personal preferences can be stated as fact.
You didn't like the story...too bad, go cry to your mother about how QuanticDream is un-original and "the worst".

It was nice of them to try to deliver on more than one level in the first place.

[DigitalAnalog]

"I also see a very prominent naked emperor putting nice graphics before much more important things."

I only have to read this to realize where the article is going. Last I checked, the demo was to showcase the "motion" technology. Upon reading this tripe, it's quite obvious the writer clearly took the video at face-value and then proceeds with his pretentious offering by dissecting the video and comparing it to other works if only to undermine the video in it's entirety.

If the writer would even bother paying attention he would notice at the beginning of the video where it clearly says:

"It is a concept only and is not taken from any software title currently in development"

Then the writer would know that his whole article is completely and utterly pointless. As far as I'm concerned KARA would most likely not be a part of his upcoming project if anything it is a tech demo - end of story.

It's amazing to see how journalists get their panties in a bunch for the need to explain to the whole world there is a secret message in games that only they themselves have deciphered to warn for the sake of gamers everywhere.

Jesus.

[Knushwood Butt]

I haven't even read the article, but I'm pretty sure this sums it up nicely.

Why do these people even bother? Go play some games instead.

[ZoyosJD]

I agree with a lot of this.

What people seem to be thinking is that this tech demo will follow the same path as the casting, and be the basis for QD next game.

While that may or may not be the case, it was not the point of the tech demo.

No, not even graphics (directly) were the point of the demo.

The demo was to showcase how well emotion can be convayed in-game with the avalible hardware and motion cap tech.

I'm suprised at the number of people who continue to miss the point, but really I shouldn't be.

[Malice-Flare]

thanks for saving me the click. i quite enjoyed the tech demo, and was hoping it was part of a new game. but, since it isn't, i'm optimistic on what Sony's World Wide Studios can do with this tech, not just QD's new game...

[Summons75]

Really? to pass off a short story that can convey an emotion response/ attachment to Kara in such a short time is really amazing. Also the fact that they did that in a tech demo shows that they are really skilled with passing off a story.

[smashcrashbash]

Kara has nothing to do with what they are doing next. how can you make any sort of judgement from it? It was basically a 7 minute demo to show off their new game engine. How in hell can you judge anything from it? QD attempted to make it emotional and in my opinion he did.In such a short time they made a character and a situation that had people choking back tears as they listened to her panicking and begging to live.

But when you think about it he didn't have to do anything like that at all. Foe the people who want to judge it he could have made the same impression if he had made a tech demo with Kara reciting the alphabet while being built.

In my opinion however if Kara and the concept had nothing to do with the next game they were making they shouldn't have made a character that we felt emotion towards at all. Now I am kind of annoyed that after feeling sorry for her and wondering what will become of her they say 'It has nothing to do with our next game'.

[rezzah]

That's life, you can't expect to know everything about everyone whom you may hold some sort of emotional attachment too. Be it people in reality or characters of fantasy.

Just as the character and demo was created, leave the possibility of endings to your imagination.

[LightofDarkness]

Excellent article, I absolutely agree with the arguments and virtues the author espouses. But sadly, it will fall on ears deafened by the obsessive rallying cries of the David Cage/Sony cult.

[rezzah]

Limiting the opposition, regardless of logic to cult status is highly immature.

And it brings up the question: If you are so quick to dismiss any possibility of disagreement, are you holding on to the mind of a cult following individual?

It is nice that you agree with his opinion, but you must realise you and the author are no the only two individuals in the world.

[LightofDarkness]

I'm sorry, have you not just done the same by designating my attitude as immature? Regardless of whether or not I am guilty of such, you are guilty of the same. Please, don't be so quick to point out the twigs in the eyes of others while ignoring the log in your own. Hypocrisy suits no one.

[rezzah]

I tell you the difference between why you view is regarded as immature over mine.

I understand the possibility of disagreement, I do not ignore it.

It is not immature to disagree, but it is immature to dismiss any disagreement prior to knowing the reason behind the argument.

[LightofDarkness]

Very good, you must have aching saddle sores from that high horse of yours.

Feel free to disagree, but don't go looking down your nose at people for making a perfectly valid comment on the state of affairs on this website.

This isn't debate club, it's a videogame website on the internet.

Moreover, is it not the same to dismiss any comment as such as "immature"? This is not attacking the argument, it is attacking the person and is purely based on the viewpoint of the attacker. It has no basis in fact, it's just you being pompous and attempting to limit the opposition by calling it "immature."

[tiffac008]

Maybe because not all of us tries to find something wrong with the demo but rather appreciates it for what it is and not for something that it is not.

[from the beach]

Cage putting the 'emo' in demo.

[rezzah]

If it means to be emo due to expression of emotions, then call the world emo.

[jalen247]

Anyone hating on the Kara demo is very shortsighted.

The industry will only elevate with innovators like David Cage.

I have been a gamer since the NES...and Indigo Prophecy and Heavy Rain are excellent game experiences.

[johny5]

JOHNNY 5 NO DISASSEMBLE!!!

[Megaman_nerd]

don't be scared Johny, you're just a robot. Your emotions are not real. =p

[MysticStrummer]

"personally I also see a very prominent naked emperor putting nice graphics before much more important things."

Personally I see a gaming "journalist" who somehow missed the very prominent statement at the beginning of the tech demo that clearly stated it was not part of a game currently in production. It was a TECH DEMO, you FOOL.

[StraightPath]

Nice article lol above I remember johnny five haha

[chrisgay]

One thing I particularly appreciated in the Kara demonstration was the acting, which is a definite step in the right direction for QD's future efforts. Heavy Rain's story and acting drove me up the wall, leaving me feeling I was playing through a very bad film. I'm sure that Kara is the start of something a lot stronger.

[smashcrashbash]

Come now, the acting Heavy Rain was loads better then many games on the market. I really don't see what was so bad about it. I have sat down and endured some of the most stiff,unemotional, idiotic stories and acting in video games this gen and watched people cry on about how the so called 'story' is the best one ever.

Heavy Rain's story was much more complex then many other game stories and it is harder to make stories like this while trying to plug up every hole and inconsistency.While trying to weave a web of suspense, mystery and intrigue it is much easier to get lost and snag on it.Heavy Rain was not perfect but I don't understand why people don't give David Cage a break.

Many game stories have bigger plot holes and inconsistencies then HR and you never hear people moan on and on about it as much as people do with Heavy Rain. Some of the greatest movies and books have HUGE plot holes and that didn't stop people from enjoying them. Back to the Future and Harry Potter have some the the most obvious holes in their stories but you don't see anyone not watching them because of it.

It reminds me of people crying on about how Drake on UC2 got Elena back to the village and how it made no sense but when people play realistic war shooters no one asks how a person somehow survives explosions, direct gunshot wounds, plane crashes or anything else that would kill or cripple any normal person.

No one ever asks about sense or coherence as long as the story takes a back seat but as soon as ANYONE tries to do anything emotional or deeper then normal suddenly everyone is an acting expert and an English teacher.In short, spoon feed me some simple minded,8 year old written, incoherent story and everyone's good. Try to tell something a little more complex and thought provoking and you will never get off my back about it.

[Hicken]

How sad; people would bash a legitimately amazing display for hits. I know I'll definitely be downvoting this site/article.

[Braid]

Jesus, what's wrong with gaming journalists these days? Are you that desperate for some cheap page views? No sir, I won't fall into your trap. My eyes started bleeding right after reading the title, let alone the whole article. It's like saying Shakespeare is a weak poet, and if you say something like that, people just stare at you with blank eyes, thinking you're either out of your mind or trying to get some attention with atrocious statements.

[Bathyj]

God, this games getting hate already, and there isnt even a game yet. I had to stop reading.

And so what if this story was ripped off from some music video or tv show. Everything been done before. I personally kept thinking of the intro to Ghost in the Shell.

Its not the originality of the story that makes it great, its the execution. Its not all about the fancy new graphics, it how those graphics allow the conveyance of emotion.

Maybe QD should just make another COD clone.

[Ares90]

bitch, please...