So far, we've seen some great articles dealing with the many diverse and exciting incarnations of expanded gaming universes (fair warning, this won't be one of them). We've had a fine sampling from movies, cartoons, books, and edutainment venues. But one growing part of the expanded world has been sorely overlooked and since nobody else wants to get down and messy with the dry-heave inducing media in question, I guess its up to me to bring you; Expanded Universes, the Fan-Fiction edition (
Shipero totally sniped me, but I'm posting this anyway).
Let me start off by saying, I don't finish many games. Don't get me wrong, I love playing games, exploring new worlds and meeting fun and interesting characters. But generally, after playing something compulsively for a few weeks, I'll take a day or two off to attend to the petty concerns of real life and, typically, I don't find my way back. If I do, its usually been so long that I have no idea what I was doing, or how to play anymore, so all progress is lost and I start over. It's a vicious cycle, but lets move on.
Fortunately, there is a wondrous thing called the Internet. Finally, I was able to get the story behind the games I loved, even though I hadn't finished them. Granted the walk-thrus and synopses weren't always the best source for finding out why something had happened or even what the outcome was, but it was enough that I could at least reach some resolution to the story I'd started. It got to a point where when I found a game I was interested in, I'd just read about it, not bothering to even buy it. This lead to my addiction to following game walk-thrus verbatim and not actually playing any games for myself for a few years (that's a blog for another day).
At some point the avid reader in me matured a bit and realized that I was no longer content with “kill the boss and save the world, game over” explanations anymore. I wanted to find out what Harry Mason was thinking while he explored Silent Hill, why Zelda was always needing some kid to rescue her, and what kind of hair gel Seifer used (okay, maybe not so much the latter). I really just wanted to get more out of the story, find out what made these people tick and why they did the things that subsequently lead to them either saving or destroying their worlds. It was on my mission for truth that I stumbled into the serpents pit lovingly called, fan-fiction (remember this is an article about fan-fiction).
In theory, this was the answer to all my prayers. Finally a place where anyone who was a fan of a game could give their take on the story, or even create whole new stories and worlds with the characters everyone knew and loved. It seemed so perfect that I can hardly be blamed for falling for its guise. How was I to know that lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly happy and tranquil utopia was some of the worst story writing and cringe worthy match-ups the Internet has to offer?
Yes I was young then, but I've learned a few things about why fan-fiction has gotten such a bad rep and I'm going to share these things with you. First and foremost:
There are no straight guys in fan-fiction.
(I wish I could tell you guys I didn't already have this pic on my hard drive.)
Really, none. No matter how macho and tough your favorite game character is, there is a fan-fiction somewhere where he is a limp-wristed sissy who only wants to be loved by every other male character in the game. Now, I enjoy fictitious male-on-male action as much as the next girl, but I have to admit, I was pretty shocked to see that there were no limits to how far-fetched the fan-fiction writers were willing to be in their attempt to ship their favorite paring. Even in the stories where a male and female character are the main pairing there is always at least a hint of bisexuality swimming just beneath the surface. It doesn't have to have anything to do with the story, (though usually it is the story), there will be some awkward groping sessions and a “we're friends and friends do that kinda thing so lets not be ashamed” discussion dropped in there somewhere.
Did I mention that anyone can write fan-fiction?
Oh yes, anyone and everyone. There are no rules or regulations (or grammar) to be concerned with. There are ridiculous amounts of angsty, emo, abusive drama fics, as well as fluffy “OMFG so random” pieces. There is no standard of acceptance here so even the most lack luster would-be author can churn out their own little gem that twists and corrupts entire game worlds. Quick example for the folks playing at home:
Viewtiful Joe
"Joe must defat the demon lord who has captured Blue and Silvia. He may need some help from an unexpected aquaintence, though."
A fire started it all
"Orphan Kim, has never liked Pokemon. Because berserk Fire Pokemon killed her parents. On her 10th birthday, her decision will change. When she visits Prof. Rowan, her starter turns out to be a Magby, the Fire type. OC's gladly accepted. Please R&R"
It's not enough to control the world, the writers want to live in it as well. The vast majority of the plot of fan-fictions stems from the writers wanting to tell everyone about their experience in the game, but as if the game were real. This leads to a metric ton of bad to mediocre “OMG I'm in Kingdom Hearts and I'm also the new keyblade master. Also, all the guys are like totally in love with me, OMG” stories.
There should seriously be an entire section devoted to these atrocities of imagination. If it were possible for ideas to have abortions, the result would be these type of fan-fictions.
But what about the good fan-fiction?
Okay, so not all fan-fictions are terrible. I've read some good stories by people who actually were decent writers, but you know what? As long as they write fan-fiction they will never be good writers. This isn't a knock against those who write fan-fiction (I'm guilty of it), its just an observation. Being good at writing fan-fiction (to quote that guy from Waiting) is like being the smartest kid with downs. When your only competition is the worst writers in middle school, you're stories are pretty much the best by default. Don't think that the shallow words of encouragement and praise that flood the comment section are full of anything resembling actual literary criticism. Nearly all the so-called comments on the fan-fiction site are something along the lines of:
“OH! Please I wanna know more! This is so awesome! XD I really hope you update soon! ^_^ “
“I can't wait to see more. Keep up the good work! “
“UWE HE HE, NOT A BAD START, HOPE THE REST ARE THIS GOOD YAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA “
So yeah you get some confidence in your writing, but at what cost to the beloved characters and worlds that are being raped by your ilk?
Is there no hope at all?
Having reached the conclusion of my rant, I feel compelled to point out that I still enjoy the concept of fan-fiction. It could be the perfect media to give me a chance to see the worlds of my favorite games from a different and often overlooked perspective. I could get more in-depth stories about characters I've grown to love and a better insight into their daily struggles outside of the scope of the game. However, good fan-fiction is like finding a quarter in a pile of dog poop. You know it's there, but you have to really psych yourself up to actually dig around and look for it.
Contest:
4:00 PM on 04.04.2009
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There's actually a specific term for characters that are blatant attempts by the writer to live vicariously as the perfect person of their dreams: a "Mary Sue." They come in many flavors and styles, but they are all recognized by one main characteristic: all the other characters in the story are ONLY defined by their relationship to that person.
There's a quote that states, "Every first novel will be the writer as either Jesus or Faust."
In any case, Sturgeon's Law rears its ugly head once again. To this day, there's only three good video-game-related fanfics that I've read. All were comedies, and all (sadly) are now defunct.
Man what the fuck was up with that shit? Oh, and good read.
Also, I think of Half-Life: Full Life Consequences. And that makes me laugh.
I've always wondered why most of fan fiction tends to go the gay route. What psychological forces are at play there?
If writers explored other personality traits besides homosexuality this genre would not have not have such a bad rep.
I still remember this coworker I had. She used to be a huge fans of fan faction and enjoyed messing with my head with comments like.
"Last night I read a fic where The Punisher falls in love with Spiderman. Wanna hear about it?"
Gives me chills to this day.
The entire concept of fanfiction makes those who write it terrible.
A girl writing about two guys falling in ineptly expressed, 14 year-old girl love is generally the same force at work of a guy wanking to two chicks scissoring.
I'd say that someone falling into a looping cycle of encouragement based on producing something of extremely poor quality is a more concerning dynamic that a bunch of kids writing out gay fantasies.
but yeah. shipping is terrifying. also I'm even the same as you where I never finish games. I still have Tales of Symphonia lying around somewhere, saved RIGHT before the final boss, but I just left and never came back...
Try the the tvtropes link below for some actual fanfic that you might like instead of making you want to gouge out your eyeballs.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FanFicRecommendations
If fan fiction work stays true to its origins of influence, making it more credible, then its more likely to be respected.
Why does the Dtoid comic work? Because it stays true to what we know, so we can all enjoy it. Using bizarre sex fantasies as a base for a piece of fan work is very weak. Plenty of free porn out there to get your kicks on instead, and has just as much story...lol.
Btw, I used to be a hardcore Megaman FF writer, and my english was horrible. I am ashamed, throw your rocks now kthxbai.
Fan-fiction, to me, seems to be a willful attempt at subverting what the author intended. It doesn't hurt anyone, no, but at the end of the day it's wrong. I don't mean wrong in the sense that it's "sick" (although a lot of fan-fiction is), I mean its wrong in the way that..... well, it's not the story!
It's difficult for me to put it into words - but it's like in science, there aren't two answers. In mathematics, there's (usually) only one or a few correct solutions. In art and literature and animation and video-games - there's only one correct storyline and one correct way of looking at things. Fan-Fiction just seems to be an attempt at defying the authors will, and if you're going to do that, can you really say you respect what the writer did? Just appreciate a good work for a good work - maybe those two characters NEVER loved each other, maybe that character really DID die, and thse aren't "flaws" with the story - its what the author wanted, and it's his work and it must be judged and viewed as he/she wanted it.
Problem is some fans (especially some of the younger ones) don't think about or study good writing, and transfer that into their fan fiction. If a fan fiction is a drawn work, its more likely to turn into a silly ego cliched yaoi fest, with less essence of story. However, if its done in the written word, like one Dtoider's wifey, its more likely contain more passion, characterisation and focus on what works to make a decent story for a said game universe and its fans.
I like to write too, and there's nothing better than writing about stuff you have passion for, but any decent writer should know that too much passion over perspective, can sometimes lead you astray. All the lame fan fiction out there, does a disservice to the good stuff the medium offers.
I suppose this argument boils down to talent and canon. Most fan-fiction is definately rubbish. But The thin vestiges of fic that isn't still is never going to be canon. I'm the type of who likes to know the truth, the facts, from the horses mouth. Posing endless What-if questions that fan-fiction endless indulges, holds no interest for me.
But what I Do find interesting, that has already been hinted at, is fan-fic set in familiar worlds but with totally different characters and circumstance. That can be enjoyable.
Though, my worry would be that when it came time to creating something original, you would suffer all the more. With recognizable characteristics from existing characters and places bleeding into your creations - as it was the basis of your writings evolution.
I would rather stab my own hands then be forced to write about other peoples characters. At the same time, I find stories where they fictionalize a mundane experience like "Animal Crossing" can be amusing and fun - and probably a exercise (From time to time).
In end, whatever floats your boat - I honestly don't care what people do, as I don't enter any fan fiction place, of fear of clawing my own eyes out.
I remember long ago, when I first started writing.
Fan-fiction. Everyone else could do it, so why couldn't I? I took my favorite video game, ripped out the main character and replaced it with one of my own. In the beginning, I remember my entire desire for writing this story, was to hopefully get others to draw more pornography for the game. Ha.
It quickly grew into something far more serious. I had not noticed how quickly my plans for the entire story had changed, it took quite a serious turn. What had began as erotic fan-fiction became something much more - powerful, to me at least. I took a world not of my own, put myself into the main characters shoes, and made decisions that I would have done.
It was quite an experience and something that I regret leaving unfinished.