This is a weird way to analyze the data these people apparently found. I mean, undoubtedly, a lot of people do not care about the plot or story in a game, but does this make those that do any less relevant? The core problem I have with the article and what the dev's were saying, is that it goes against diversity.
Me, I can still recount the plot of Planescape: Torment or Baldur's Gate. I can still tell you the plot of Full Throttle, in more detail than I could describe the plot of some TV and Movies I've enjoyed. And these are games I played a LONG time ago. Never mind stories from games I played more recently.
I would think that there is one thing that sets games and movies so far apart that thinking about a different approach merits discussion (albeit not the approach these people are talking about): The length. A game theoretically has to hook you for many...MANY hours, because otherwise players will feel cheated. But if you expand the story over SO many hours, obviously it is difficult to grab the players attention throughout the entirety of the story/plot. To me, this means that we need to explore different avenues of immersing players in the plot and the world. Can I tell you how right now? Not really. I think for now, we are "stuck" with creating a cohesive, compelling narrative throughout our game, making sure that players remember it fondly. We can do that.
But I do think that we should be thinking about alternatives. New ways to present story. VR technology is closing in rapidly (as in, readily available everywhere). More immersiveness is added to the VR Rigs all the time. Treadmills, ARAG Jackets...all these things make for more immersion in the gaming world and at the same time, we have AR penetrating our real lives, which, again, can increase immersiveness and make the experience of games different yet again.
Of course, all of this has nothing to do with Witcher 3. Just random thoughts on the future of storytelling in games. I am excited about it. But I certainly don't think plot does not matter. I believe that there are different types of games and they all have their merits and their drawbacks. People need to remember that there is not "THE" way to make a game. There is no "THE" way to experience a game. Just like in movies...sometimes, I feel like watching a mindless action-flick while having some popcorn with friends. Other times I want a compelling narrative. Still others I just want to laugh. All of these are valid forms of entertainment and no one would dare say that one TYPE of movie is the right way to make movies, now and forever.
But here we are, in games...and people seem to think we need to have "ONE" way to make games.
As an afterthought...since the article is all quotes, I'd like to join
@dragonbird in saying that this might also be a case of really bad quoting in order to get hits. But on principle, the above is my personal perspective on games and if narrative/plot is important.
