How Are Narrative Devices Used Differently in the Gaming Industry to That of the Film Industry? and Could Using Cinematic Narrative Make for a More Engaging Game?

Dissertation

How are narrative devices used differently in the gaming industry to that of the film industry? And could using cinematic narrative make for a more engaging game?

Table of Contents

Abstract 4
Introduction 5-6
  Key Questions, Aims and Objectives 6-7
Chapter 1 8
  Story vs. Game Debate 8-9
  Narrative Being the Future for Games 9-10
  Problems with Gameplay and Narrative 11-14
Chapter 2 15
  Different Gaming Genres 15
    Adventure Games 15-19
    Role Playing Games (RPG’s) 19-22
    First Person Shooters 22-24
Chapter 3 25
Narrative: Games as Films 25-27
Chapter 4 28
  Conclusion 28-30
Bibliography 31-34
Appendices 35-41

Abstract

In this paper I will distinguish between the different narrative devices currently being used within the film and gaming industry and to conclude whether or not games should offer the same kind of narrative structure as film to create a more engaging and complex playing experience.

The research in which I will undertake will discuss in detail the different kinds of narratives used within current games and how adopting better narrative and a more in depth story within games could change the outcome of games for better or worse. I will look at possible problems involving the gameplay mechanics and interactivity if more time and effort is put into improving a games narrative and to see if the consumer does desire a more cinematic experience when playing games.

I will debate whether or not it is possible to have a successful work of interactive entertainment that is just pure story and is not built on the mechanism of gaming and if combining the two will it cause enormous problems? Or will it take the industry forward by creating new and innovative games that haven’t been seen before? In order to get a clear understanding of this problem I will be looking at the differences between stories and games and whether the two can be successfully tied into a narrative structure.

Introduction

A... [continues]

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