Novel Adaptations of Video Games

[Game Freak 4]

There are some video games that do have deep stories within them. The thing is that nobody cares about stories in video games(some people don't even wan't stories in video games... well, not big ones, anyway). So I say why not take the deep story bits of the video games and turn it into a book? Not only could it truly tell us about the series of video games, but could also connect some things together and solve some problems( MegaMan and Touhou Project are big examples).

[TacoHunter]

There are a lot of great expanded universe content for video games in novels, as well as novel adaptations of video game stories.

Good examples of expanded universe novels would be the Halo, Shadowrun, and Warcraft novels. Which do a great job at really getting an idea of these worlds.

Good novel adaptations of games, the only one I've read was one that told the story of Resident Evil 2, and it was pretty good.

But one of the problems of these novels are they're nothing more then glorified fan fiction, 'cause some are not considered canon by the creators of the games. But they're usually very well written by professionals so you don't have to worry about some Mary Sue popping up and mucking up the story. And when they are considered canon, that's always a plus.

[Gatomon41]

Although the idea of turning the story of a vedio game into a book is appealing, it must be done in the right hands.

Take, for example the novelization of "Command and Conquer 3s". As TacoHunter pointed out, its basically golrified fanfiction. In this case, its mediocre fan fiction.

Granted there are a few good momments in the book, but overall there just glaring and stupid problems that caused many fans to be outraged.

In fact, one fan was so outraged, he wrote a fanfic that's better than the novelization. Ironically, Tiberium Wars works better because it actually novelizes the game.

Since fans have a much better understandinhg of the games they play, maybe its fitting to let fanfic writers just write the adaptation themselves.

[Daxdiv]

I know that Mass Effect has two stories that tie into the game.

The first book, Mass Effect: Revelations ties into the game by being a prequel to the events in the game. Here you learn about Captain David Anderson and his brief stint in the Spectres, and you also get a look into Saren's personality as well.

Then there's the second one, Mass Effect: Ascension, I haven't read it yet, but it events take place around the same time as the game.

[Game Freak 4]

Although the idea of turning the story of a vedio game into a book is appealing, it must be done in the right hands.

Take, for example the novelization of "Command and Conquer 3s". As TacoHunter pointed out, its basically golrified fanfiction. In this case, its mediocre fan fiction.

Granted there are a few good momments in the book, but overall there just glaring and stupid problems that caused many fans to be outraged.

In fact, one fan was so outraged, he wrote a fanfic that's better than the novelization. Ironically, Tiberium Wars works better because it actually novelizes the game.

Since fans have a much better understandinhg of the games they play, maybe its fitting to let fanfic writers just write the adaptation themselves.

Was the Novelization of "Command and Conquer" done by the creators themselves? Would fans hate the stuff if it was by the creator of the original series? Do creators even accept ideas from fans and make it canon?

Maybe a retelling of the story that was in the manual.

"In the year 20XX, there lived two scientists."

[Gatomon41]

Was the Novelization of "Command and Conquer" done by the creators themselves?

Although he got notes from the development team, it was largely writen by Keith R. A. DeCandido.

That, and the Command and Conquer series has been developed by so many people, there's isn't one person who created the work.

Do creators even accept ideas from fans and make it canon?

If enough of them comaplained enough, preety much.

Maybe a retelling of the story that was in the manual.

"In the year 20XX, there lived two scientists."

Well, they preety much do that with the FMV cutscenes.

[Borg4of3]

Weird hit of nostalgia - I loved the Blaster Master book (Worlds of Power #1) way back when I was a kid. Not only was it fun, and the cover art gave away the last boss which I was sure I'd never see, it had a nice childhood romance story in it that wasn't in the game, and a leadup to the final battle and conclusion which I do imagine is better than in the game.

Just thinking of it makes me want to play the game again, and most certainly quit in frustration and search out the book instead for my closure.

As for the question about fans writing the official stories (or in extension, movies, sequel stories, whatever)? I'd totally love that. I've always been a fan of fan fiction done right, when you can really see the passion for the original work, with skillful original ideas that augment the source material and plenty of in-nods and nods that only other fans would get. Heck, I'd still say an amateur who loves the source is better than a professional without passion, though either way you could get great or terrible.