Demystifying the Obscure 5th Person Perspective in Gaming
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the art of video games, I‘m always seeking out fresh innovations in interactive storytelling that can take the medium in bold new directions. Recently, while researching some of gaming‘s most envelope-pushing indie titles, I discovered an obscure narrative concept known as "5th person perspective."
So what exactly is 5th person perspective? Put simply, it‘s an experimental point of view that attempts to convey a collective consciousness rather than a single narrator voice. Instead of clearly defined characters with first person voices ("I went to the store"), second person direct address ("You went to the store") or standard third person descriptions ("She went to the store"), fifth person uses plural pronouns without a specific protagonist attached ("We went to the store.")
This technique is nearly unheard of in commercial titles, given its unusual distancing effect. But as indie developers gain more traction, we‘re beginning to see some fascinating experiments:
| Game | Narrative Description |
|---|---|
| Anthropic | Story told from perspective of an AI collectively referring to itself as "we" |
| Nivalis Mare | Uses plural pronouns to place player in shoes of entire alien civilization |
| Wandering Village | You control a village moving as one entity across a damaged world |
While unconventional, these games and others explore thought-provoking ideas of shared consciousness and interconnected fates. As the indie scene matures and major studios take more risks on art games, experiences utilizing 5th person perspective could grow.
Why Are Rule-Breaking Narratives Gaining Traction?
The rise of indie games has paralleled a surge of interest in experimental storytelling techniques over the past decade. According to Steam‘s 2021 year in review, over 7000 indie games hit the platform just that year, comprising nearly 2/3 of total releases. Gamers have more options than ever to access groundbreaking, creative experiences that buck mainstream conventions in favor of starkly original visions.
In a 2021 GDC talk, indie development legend Jason Rohrer discussed the appeal of unusual ideas like 5th person perspective: "It feels fresh compared to the vast majority of games that rely on similar narrative crutches. That sense of novelty and discovery is exciting." While there are certainly challenges around accessibility and comprehension, it‘s easy to be drawn in by titles presenting utterly unique premises.
And as streaming and video content creation around gaming explodes in popularity, there is greater incentive to chase games with conversation-starting themes and mechanics worth dissecting in videos or forums. The artistic merit may attract players even if the avant-garde concepts alienate others.
Promises (and Perils) of Playing with Perspective
Adopting unfamiliar narrative voices like 5th person undoubtedly carries risks alongside their creative potential. Without the grounding effect and clarity of following one defined character, some players may struggle connecting with more abstract player avatars. And subtler experiences not focused on direct action could test the patience of audiences accustomed to clearly delineated quests and adversaries to overcome.
Accessibility is also a concern around radically experimental titles intended more to provoke thought or make statements than provide enjoyable challenges requiring skill to surmount. Much like modern art, appreciation takes an openness not all possess.
However, games leveraging odd perspectives often aim for different sensations than escapist thrills and power fantasies. The sense of inhabiting a consciousness bigger than oneself can foster reflection on our interconnected fates. And shared adversity against conceptual threats like climate change has served as inspiration.
There may also be room for 5th person narratives in multiplayer contexts. Collective challenges where teammates adopt plural identities could strengthen bonds, as demonstrated in indie online title We Met in May.
While Fantastical stories placing the player in non-human roles can unlock empathy. Creeping unease and questioning the nature of the self also have their place in the palette of gaming emotions.
Final Thoughts: Innovation Doesn‘t Have to Alienate
As someone passionate about video games as an art form, I try celebrating envelope pushing concepts for their boldness and future potential even when niche. However, innovation solely for its own sake means little without an absorbing experience both intellectually and emotionally.
Avant-garde ideas like 5th person perspective may never exit the realm of the experimental. But each unusual creation expands the literacy of both developers and audiences, earning mainstream techniques more traction once their initial shock fades. As the indie scene matures, perhaps techniques considered obtuse today may one day be commonplace thanks to our early adopters.
I‘m curious to hear from you on this and other little discussed narrative structures: Have you played unconventional games that made a powerful impact by subverting expectations? Are there any mechanical innovations or storytelling perspectives you wish more developers would risk including? Let me know in the comments!
