Games as Narrative Play - Ch 26

Playing a game means interacting with and within representational universe, a space of possibility with narrative dimensions.
space of possibility  as narrative space: are games stories?
not whether games are narrative, but how they are narrative.
intrinsic connection between games and narrative:

writers use narrative for everything

most games feature narrative introductions and backstories

games share some traits with narratives: games also have quest structures, are experienced linearly, etc

Miller’s model  for narrative:

situation: an initial state, a change in that state, insight brought by that change--events of narrative

character: personification of events

form: representation occurs by patterning and repetition.

Two structures for narrative play
players can experience a game narrative as a crafted story interactively told
players can engage with narrative as an emergent experience happening during the game.
Embedded narrative: pre-generated narrative content, exists prior to player’s interaction;
experienced through player interaction but exists apart from the interaction
provides the major story arc for the game
structures player’s interaction and movement through the game world
Emergent narrative: arises during play, from the set of rules for interaction with the game system, often in unexpected ways.
as a result of coupled interactions: elements of the system are linked recursively

or as a result of context-dependent interactions: changes that occur are not the same everytime.

Narrative goal of the game: goals help players judge their progress in the game
       also guide players in understanding the significance of their actions within a narrative context

-when goals are designed to support narrative play, player’s interaction becomes meaningful.

Conflict: - struggling towards the goals.
 - in storytelling, internal conflict shapes the listener’s experience
 - for games, conflicts are used for narrative design to tie the narrative close to the formal structure of the game.

Uncertainty: If a game is certain, outcome is known, no reason to play.
       successful use of uncertainty in narrative also ties the narrative to the formal structure of the game.

Core Mechanic: essential moment-to-moment activity of players.
in narrative play

-paying attention to every moment’s action, to how players’ choices and outcomes are represented is important.

-considering games as ongoing activity in which a player engages in a core mechanic to make meaningful choices and explore the space of possibility.

Digital game space: formal structure, structure  of display and interactive structure
Narrative space: space can be a very powerful narrative tool
Narrative descriptors: representations, depictions of one or more aspects of the game world.
everything in a game is a descriptor.
not only the cutscenes or backstory but everything in a game, any representational element can be a descriptor
frames the elements inside and outside of the game as objects that communicate to the story of the game
frame for central game play
can provide frameworks of interactions for players
can help players understand the overall large narrative context

Klevjer identifies two components of game narratives:
fictive worlds: large frames that represent narrative context
story events: actual game incidents taking place inside the fictive world

Creation of a game narrative = creation of narrative system
narrative experience arises from the individual relationships of the elements and also their relationship with the whole.

cutscenes: narrative technique used in digital games
      embedded narrative; scripted element that is same everytime
      contain narrative descriptors on many levels
      linear, pre-scripted, non-interactive, story-driven

Retelling game stories:
why a retelling occurs?
- to recount a particularly dramatic victory: you should have seen it!
- to share a series of story events: in a game, … happened..
- to share strategic information: i found this secret door
- to celebrate pleasure of play:  i felt like flying!
Narrative play within game play emerges from player’s interaction with the game system,
Narrative play outside of game play is the retelling of this experience in story form.

-Replay: One common tool for retelling.

e.g camerawork, shifting views

-Recams: tools for transforming player’s experience into a story form to re-experience or share.

called demos

highlights the role of point-of-view in narrative representation.

-parts of game’s formal system , enhances player’s experince