The Beginner's Guide is a narrative video game from Davey Wreden, the creator of The Stanley Parable. It lasts about an hour and a half and has no traditional mechanics, no goals or objectives. Instead, it tells the story of a person struggling to deal with something they do not understand.
[THUMB]http://i.imgur.com/fY5spd3.jpg[/THUMB] [THUMB]http://i.imgur.com/1rxP7qf.jpg[/THUMB]
[URL="http://store.steampowered.com/app/303210/"]Buy - $7.99[/URL]
To those who haven't played it yet, I'd advise not doing any research or reading about it beforehand. Trust me though, it's so worth it.
I do hope that this Coda character isn't real.
[QUOTE=Swebonny;48805112]I do hope that this Coda character isn't real.[/QUOTE]
Whether or not, kudos for having the balls to allow people to believe you may be one of the biggest cunts in gamedev right now :v:.
This game is fantastic and I absolutely recommend it, especially if you yourself have any interest in game design and development.
The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to believe that [sp]Coda is actually Davey himself. The levels just reminds me too much of work that he'd make. And it'd fit the whole "talking to yourself" deal. And if I remember correct Davey mentioned about having personal issues at one point.[/sp]
[QUOTE=Swebonny;48805591]The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to believe that [sp]Coda is actually Davey himself. The levels just reminds me too much of work that he'd make. And it'd fit the whole "talking to yourself" deal. And if I remember correct Davey mentioned about having personal issues at one point.[/sp][/QUOTE]
[sp]I don't really know about this one-- dude was literally tearing up at the very end. I mean, sure, Davey probably has some issues, but that probably sums up a good majority of game developers.[/sp]
[QUOTE=Monkah;48805692][sp]I don't really know about this one-- dude was literally tearing up at the very end. What led you to this belief?[/sp][/QUOTE]
I don't really have any conclusive evidence, just what I stated earlier. Just a gut feeling :v: Anyhow in the end I gotta say, even though the game is short, it was very interesting and gave a very different perspective about [sp]game development and the thought process that could have been going on in a developers head[/sp].
They're just toying with our feelings!
They're PLAYING US LIKE A DAMN FIDDLE!
[QUOTE=Swebonny;48805591]The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to believe that [sp]Coda is actually Davey himself. The levels just reminds me too much of work that he'd make. And it'd fit the whole "talking to yourself" deal. And if I remember correct Davey mentioned about having personal issues at one point.[/sp][/QUOTE]
(Spoiler warnings for anyone who hasn't played) You may want to take a look at this article after finishing to set any theories straight [url]http://motherboard.vice.com/read/step-inside-the-labyrinthine-mind-of-a-game-developer-in-the-beginners-guide[/url]
[sp]Coda doesn't exist, of course. Wreden is in conversation with himself and his audience, struggling to move past whatever turmoil The Stanley Parable caused in his life. Coda's name, literally meaning "a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work," is an obvious hint, as is a puzzle that repeats in many of the games, which I'd rather not spoil here.[/sp]
This game is incredible as a whole, I've never encountered anything like it [sp]it's a very creative way for someone to share their feelings through a believable persona, inside an interactive game[/sp]
[QUOTE=HetsuProcyon;48806517](Spoiler warnings for anyone who hasn't played) You may want to take a look at this article after finishing to set any theories straight [URL]http://motherboard.vice.com/read/step-inside-the-labyrinthine-mind-of-a-game-developer-in-the-beginners-guide[/URL]
[sp]Coda doesn't exist, of course. Wreden is in conversation with himself and his audience, struggling to move past whatever turmoil The Stanley Parable caused in his life. Coda's name, literally meaning "a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work," is an obvious hint, as is a puzzle that repeats in many of the games, which I'd rather not spoil here.[/sp]
This game is incredible as a whole, I've never encountered anything like it [sp]it's a very creative way for someone to share their feelings through a believable persona, inside an interactive game[/sp][/QUOTE]
[sp]Time to go replay the whole game with the new metaphor in mind...[/sp]
I'm really glad the author of that article shared the majority of my original interpretation of the game. Davey's writing is incredible and they way he involves the player into his story with minimal action is something I really admire.
Bought this on a whim, and it was certainly a thought provoking game. That ending scene was beautiful.
[QUOTE=HetsuProcyon;48806517](Spoiler warnings for anyone who hasn't played) You may want to take a look at this article after finishing to set any theories straight [URL]http://motherboard.vice.com/read/step-inside-the-labyrinthine-mind-of-a-game-developer-in-the-beginners-guide[/URL]
[sp]Coda doesn't exist, of course. Wreden is in conversation with himself and his audience, struggling to move past whatever turmoil The Stanley Parable caused in his life. Coda's name, literally meaning "a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work," is an obvious hint, as is a puzzle that repeats in many of the games, which I'd rather not spoil here.[/sp]
This game is incredible as a whole, I've never encountered anything like it [sp]it's a very creative way for someone to share their feelings through a believable persona, inside an interactive game[/sp][/QUOTE]
I'm just gonna tag this whole post because I'm really not sure where the spoilers for this start and end:
[sp]Actually knowing that Coda is just a persona has lifted a lot of weight off my shoulders. I had my doubts at about halfway through, but nothing really swayed me, and I knew I'd feel like an asshole if I were to just immediately come to the conclusion that it was just a metaphor. Immediately after finishing though I just kinda had a bad taste in my mouth about Davey, because if all this had been true, it felt like he was continuing the cycle of it all. Of course, knowing that's the point, I feel a bit better about it all now.[/sp]
[sp]I admire the game from a level design standpoint, and the tale it tells. I think it's a pretty creative way to say that no matter what facet of media someone's involved in, you can still suffer from the same issues as anyone else. Considering that here in the states there's a lot of work to be done in the field of understanding mental issues like social anxiety and depression, The Beginner's Guide is certainly something that we shouldn't scoff at.[/sp]
[sp]At the same time, I share a lot of sentiment with the author of that Motherboard article. While it's a cool experience, and something that will start a lot of conversations on forums and in the industry, I feel like I still had some issues with it. I feel like I was the only one that was completely taken out of the game the moment I started hearing the piano ballad as the credits rolled. The final scene was honestly pretty good, but that just threw me for a loop. Had it been a stark cut from the last credit to the main menu again, I feel the ending would've resonated with me a bit more.[/sp]
It was alright. I enjoyed The Stanley Parable more than I did The Beginner's Guide, but for a game I probably won't play again, 7,19€ was a perfectly acceptable entry fee.
Man, after playing this a few hours ago, I kinda feel depressed. [sp]For a couple hours there, I completely took it straight, and even wrote a few paragraphs about why no one should ever buy this game. Not only do I feel like a complete asshat now knowing the full truth, I also feel like an idiot for falling for it in the first place.[/sp]
Overall, it was definitely worth the money, and very much kudos to Dave- I wish him the best of luck in what he'll do in the future.
[I][Very mild Spoilers][/I]
The credits song is now on YouTube.
[video=youtube;2D8oUY6bkdA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D8oUY6bkdA[/video]
For fucks sake, I've been unable to get this game out of my head over the past day.
Kind of reminds me of myself before I got to college, that I just craft crap in my spare time so I can dawdle in my own fantasy and keep it to myself. "No, you don't get it!"
Just sometimes, as an introvert, I like doing things alone and not showing them to anyone, but at least I try to justify my actions, that I'm merely practicing. I'm not sure about others...
There's just this odd discouragement to be judged, but the feeling is natural, many lecturers stressed that a creative work is nothing if no one can ever be there to appreciate it.
It kind of pains me to see many of my peers treat game development like work in order to make a living, instead as a creative medium for expression.
I suppose that once you realize the shitty reality behind the game industry, part of the emotional investment just - vanishes.
I'm sure many would still love to make their dream game, to finally put part of their essence into a game, but.. maybe some believed that possibility is far fetched.
This game... this is metaphorically, a public confession, isn't it? I'm just going to assume that the presentation is no fiction.
Still, remarkable effort and fortitude. The sincerity sells it.
I do respect him that he willingly make games in his own spare time, instead of just having the problems linger in his mind.
Many people I know don't even do that and they are applying for jobs in game companies.
Well, what do I know? I'm just an undergraduate. Maybe I missed the whole point.
[editline]1[/editline]
So I went back and listened to the part where [sp]he apologizes and asked him to start making games again,
maybe he seeks self-worth through projective identification through own his work?
That at one point in life, he couldn't muster himself to create something that is worth people's praise and time?
And the whole time he is just lying to himself, forcing himself to try to make something good?[/sp]
I suppose this invalidates whatever I just wrote.
As per my understanding [sp]the game's about Davey, kind of a reflection or confession about what game development was all about to him, before The Stanley Parable, and how the success of the title impacted him, and being thrusted into the public eye kind of soured his desire and motivation to keep creating video games.
For instance interrogating the machine that calls itself Coda with accusations, in my mind, is how he presents the fact that releasing a title and putting yourself out there leads you to become a figure that everyone expects to keep creating and releasing stuff on the public's whims, and not the content creators. A "we're all here for you, how dare you stop creating" kind of thing.
I do a lot of content that I don't release publicly, purely for the joy of creation itself. Way back when, I got popular for making update videos for TF2 and it became kind of expected of me until I broke out of that mold. I suppose in a way I can recognize myself in Davey.[/sp]
[sp]I'm kinda glad to believe that Coda isn't real. I went through the entire story thinking he was, and ended up coming out the end of the game not knowing what the fuck to feel. Then I went a read some other people's impressions and thought "wait what the fuck- HOW DID I NOT PICK UP ON THAT".
It's especially annoying because I spent the entirety of the game fully engaging with and reading into all the metaphors of each mini-game, while totally ignoring the massive central metaphor of the game I was actually playing.
Also, call me presumptuous, but I'm prepared to say that Davey Wreden is quite possibly the greatest game dev alive. I can't think of anyone else who so clearly understands how to wield the medium of videogames to serve their artistic purposes. The Tower might just be one of my favourite game environments ever. Not since Half Life 2's Citadel have I seen an environment with such a cohesive style, mood, meaning and tone.[/sp]
Just bought the game, looking forward to playing it, it's downloaded now but just doing stuff first then gonna play
[editline]3rd October 2015[/editline]
Is the game supposed to crash when you select "trying to find the engine" it seemed like it was
[sp]I have mixed feelings about this
It was a great experience, I don't regret getting it. A lot of the points made resonated with me.
But I paid 7 dollars for this. And I'm not even talking about whether it was worth the value (although there's an argument to be made if the price is worth the amount of effort that went into it, that's mostly subjective so I won't bother), but I feel like it ruined the point he was trying to make once I realized that.
I'm paying 7 dollars to have someone read me a self-loathing letter he wrote to himself, a letter where he claims that getting recognition ended up spoiling the fun he had making games and how now, reading this letter to me, is making it even worse, but all the while he'll gladly take my money for it.
So I really don't know, maybe I'm approaching it the wrong way, but despite loving the game itself, it ended up leaving a sour taste in my mouth in the end.[/sp]
[QUOTE=Ryo Ohki;48817747][sp]I have mixed feelings about this
It was a great experience, I don't regret getting it. A lot of the points made resonated with me.
But I paid 7 dollars for this. And I'm not even talking about whether it was worth the value (although there's an argument to be made if the price is worth the amount of effort that went into it, that's mostly subjective so I won't bother), but I feel like it ruined the point he was trying to make once I realized that.
I'm paying 7 dollars to have someone read me a self-loathing letter he wrote to himself, a letter where he claims that getting recognition ended up spoiling the fun he had making games and how now, reading this letter to me, is making it even worse, but all the while he'll gladly take my money for it.
So I really don't know, maybe I'm approaching it the wrong way, but despite loving the game itself, it ended up leaving a sour taste in my mouth in the end.[/sp][/QUOTE]
[sp]I'm pretty sure Dave did not work alone on this- he has a team that helped make The Stanley Parable, who I'm pretty sure worked on this as well, so I like to think most if not all the money from this will go to them. Either way, the experience is short enough to steam refund if you truly don't think he deserves the money.[/sp]
[QUOTE=Magikoopa24;48817768][sp]I'm pretty sure Dave did not work alone on this- he has a team that helped make The Stanley Parable, who I'm pretty sure worked on this as well, so I like to think most if not all the money from this will go to them. Either way, the experience is short enough to steam refund if you truly don't think he deserves the money.[/sp][/QUOTE]
I didnt say that. I probably would have priced it differently if it was me but I enjoyed it and I have no intention of asking for a refund
I must admit, a part of me was slightly disappointed that [sp]setting the numbers on the number "puzzle" to 888888 didn't do anything[/sp] :v:
[QUOTE=Chaotic Lord;48819743]I must admit, a part of me was slightly disappointed that [sp]setting the numbers on the number "puzzle" to 888888 didn't do anything[/sp] :v:[/QUOTE]
A wasted opportunity for sure. :/
[QUOTE=TBot Alpha;48816440][sp]I'm kinda glad to believe that Coda isn't real. I went through the entire story thinking he was, and ended up coming out the end of the game not knowing what the fuck to feel. Then I went a read some other people's impressions and thought "wait what the fuck- HOW DID I NOT PICK UP ON THAT".
It's especially annoying because I spent the entirety of the game fully engaging with and reading into all the metaphors of each mini-game, while totally ignoring the massive central metaphor of the game I was actually playing.
Also, call me presumptuous, but I'm prepared to say that Davey Wreden is quite possibly the greatest game dev alive. I can't think of anyone else who so clearly understands how to wield the medium of videogames to serve their artistic purposes. The Tower might just be one of my favourite game environments ever. Not since Half Life 2's Citadel have I seen an environment with such a cohesive style, mood, meaning and tone.[/sp][/QUOTE]
I think Davey is one of the few writers to truly understand the possibility for story telling that games have. If he was paired with someone of equal skill regarding gameplay, I think we would see something even more spectacular.
I wasn't 100% sure at first but [sp]the artstyle and assets seemed too cohesive to have been made over a few years by the midpoint, I knew something was definitely up.[/sp]
Still, it resonated with me but I don't know how exactly.
Kind of made me feel more depressed about myself.
[editline]4th October 2015[/editline]
It's very hard for to see myself respond to anything other than exterior praise and it make me very feel sad.
I find it interesting that the source of all maps is included with the game.
[sp]In regards to the Davey is Coda theory, I don't think it's as simple as that. First thing, Coda is always shown as a woman, even though Davey refers to them as aa man. While its possible that theres a second meaning to that I sort of doubt it though. There's also the notes section where Davey says he met Coda at a game jam somewhere. Again, its possible that theres a second meaning to it but it wouldn't make as much sense. The game also supposedly takes place while the stanley parable mod was in development.
And someone on the steam forums pointed out that one of the notes contains the name of 3 tarrot cards, which respectively have the numbers 15, 17 and 19, which is also the combination at the end.[/sp]
Enough spoilers, this game was great and changed my perception on the videogames as art argument. If you're expecting the stanley parable 2 think again since you're getting the opposite of that though.
The easiest way to know whether this type of depression resonates with you is if you think post rating matters and it defines you as a quality poster.
Especially in social medias when you share something you didn't make yet didn't get any likes and it bothers you.
How to remedy this?
Find [sp]whatever that wholeness is that you (just) summoned out of nothing and (you) put into your work.[/sp] /ending-quote
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