Original artwork, not a still
This is the story of a man named Stanley.
— The Stanley Parable · 2013
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It sounds like the first line of an ordinary fairy tale, which is the trap: within a minute the game is arguing with you over who is telling the story, you or the voice. Because the Narrator keeps narrating whatever you do, the sentence has become a meme for any scripted life, and for anyone who has deliberately walked through the wrong door to annoy an unseen storyteller. It marks the game's whole idea of an interactive story.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Stanley ParableShow the scene
The Stanley Parable (Galactic Cafe, HD Remix released October 17, 2013) opens in a drab office, where the Narrator, voiced by Kevan Brighting, introduces the silent protagonist Stanley as employee 427. Stanley sits at his desk pressing whatever buttons his monitor tells him to press. Then he notices that every co-worker has vanished. The Narrator describes what Stanley does as the player does it, and his mood depends on whether he is obeyed or defied. The line is how every run starts. The game began as a 2011 Half-Life 2 mod.
Sources (3)
- Stanley Parable Wiki: NarratorOpening quote, intro and dialogue sectionReference checked
- Stanley Parable Wiki: StanleyIntroductionReference checked
- Stanley Parable Wiki: The Stanley ParableInfoboxReference checked
Context reviewed
