The Composition of Video Games
Narrative, Aesthetics, Rhetoric and Play
Published on 21. October 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
242 pages
978-1-4766-7393-6 (ISBN)
Description
Video games are a complex, compelling medium in which established art forms intersect with technology to create an interactive text. Visual arts, architectural design, music, narrative and rules of play all find a place within, and are constrained by, computer systems whose purpose is to create an immersive player experience.
In the relatively short life of video game studies, many authors have approached the question of how games function, some focusing on technical aspects of game design, others on rules of play. Taking a holistic view, this study explores how ludology, narratology, visual rhetoric, musical theory and player psychology work (or don't work) together to create a cohesive experience and to provide a unified framework for understanding video games.
In the relatively short life of video game studies, many authors have approached the question of how games function, some focusing on technical aspects of game design, others on rules of play. Taking a holistic view, this study explores how ludology, narratology, visual rhetoric, musical theory and player psychology work (or don't work) together to create a cohesive experience and to provide a unified framework for understanding video games.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
24 photos, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
402 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4766-7393-6 (9781476673936)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Johansen Quijano has been studying games, gaming, and gamer culture for over a decade. Although his early work focused on gaming and language acquisition, he quickly turned his attention to game theory and the rhetoric of games. He has published in several anthologies and journals, participated in translation, adaptation, and creative videogame projects, and presented in local, national, and international conferences. He is currently an assistant professor of English at Tarrant County College where he lectures on writing, literature, and media. Series editor Matthew Wilhelm Kapell teaches American studies, anthropology, and writing at Pace University in New York.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Setting the Groundwork
The Lack of a Unified Framework?9 delete* deleteWhat Is a Game
Anyway??13 delete* deleteRevisiting Play and Narrative?24 delete* delete
Redefining Types of Players?33 delete* deleteThe Role of the Player?41
Chapter 2: Narrative at Play: Game Composition and Story
The Question of Ergodicity?55 delete* deleteLinearity, the Story and
Narrative?67 delete* deleteThe Chronotope and Sideshadowing?73 delete* delete
Multiple Layers and -Time-Looped Narrative?84 delete* deletePlay and
Space as Narrative?94
Chapter 3: The Rhetoric of Games
Design, Play, Remediation, Solvency and Space as a Rhetoric
of Games?109 delete* deleteA Rhetoric of Procedure?119 delete* deleteThe Visual
Rhetoric of Games?131
Chapter 4: Audiovisual Ludonarrativity
A Harmony of Dissonance?150 delete* deleteExpanding Ludonarrativity
Through Rhetoric?160 delete* deleteThe Aural Dimension?172
Chapter 5: Themes and Audiovisual Ludonarrativity
Alchemy at Dawn: Ayesha's Time Management Dilemma?184 delete* delete
Hax0r Is the 1337: Watch_D0gs and the Failed Surveillance State?192
Conclusion: Game Over-Insert Coin to Continue
Works Cited
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Setting the Groundwork
The Lack of a Unified Framework?9 delete* deleteWhat Is a Game
Anyway??13 delete* deleteRevisiting Play and Narrative?24 delete* delete
Redefining Types of Players?33 delete* deleteThe Role of the Player?41
Chapter 2: Narrative at Play: Game Composition and Story
The Question of Ergodicity?55 delete* deleteLinearity, the Story and
Narrative?67 delete* deleteThe Chronotope and Sideshadowing?73 delete* delete
Multiple Layers and -Time-Looped Narrative?84 delete* deletePlay and
Space as Narrative?94
Chapter 3: The Rhetoric of Games
Design, Play, Remediation, Solvency and Space as a Rhetoric
of Games?109 delete* deleteA Rhetoric of Procedure?119 delete* deleteThe Visual
Rhetoric of Games?131
Chapter 4: Audiovisual Ludonarrativity
A Harmony of Dissonance?150 delete* deleteExpanding Ludonarrativity
Through Rhetoric?160 delete* deleteThe Aural Dimension?172
Chapter 5: Themes and Audiovisual Ludonarrativity
Alchemy at Dawn: Ayesha's Time Management Dilemma?184 delete* delete
Hax0r Is the 1337: Watch_D0gs and the Failed Surveillance State?192
Conclusion: Game Over-Insert Coin to Continue
Works Cited
Index