[Air-L] Plot retention rates in AAA titles

[Jordan Lynn]

Good afternoon, everyone!

I have a question, and this group seems like the place to ask. What
level of plot retention would you consider to be average in a First or
Third-Person Shooter? Studying AAA titles for plot retention is
difficult, since there are several subsets of gamers that ignore
plotlines as a matter of course, and shooters aren't usually noted for
narrative depth. My primary issue is figuring out what percentage of
gamers are ignoring the plot, and what percentage are not getting it
because the game is not delivering it effectively. Also, there is some
difference between total narrative comprehension and getting "the
gist" of the game's plot- what percentages of players would you expect
to fully understand the narrative, and what percentage understand the
basics of the story?

Thoughts?
-Jordan