Hauptinhalt

Topinformationen

Vorheriges Semester

The "Gone Home" Parable - Reading Digital Fiction

Veranstaltungstyp: Seminar

Ort: 41/E07

Zeiten: Do. 16:00 - 18:00 (wöchentlich)

Beschreibung: As the definition of what we call 'video games' has gotten broader and broader over the decades, the variety of experiences that these games offer has also increased tremendously. This breadth is also reflected in the multitude of approaches that game scholars have developed in order to discuss video games. While some argue that games should be viewed as a system first (see, for example, Gonzalo Frasca's understanding of 'ludology'), other's see them primarily as narratives.

This course will deal with 'video games' that so clearly function as narratives first, that many scholars and gaming enthusiasts have debated whether they should be called video games at all. While we will explore these questions, our discussions will focus on the games themselves. Instead of trying to develop a theoretical framework that fits all types of games, we will apply methods of analysis and reading that are familiar to students of literary and film studies, in order to better understand how these narrative games work.

Over the course of the semester, each student will play and discuss four games. Choose one from each block. Note that these games can be expensive if they are not on sale (there are sales regularly and the links provided below lead to a site that tracks sales of these games, if you plan to attend this course and want to save some money, make sure to buy these games ahead of time, while they are on sale).

Block A - Twine (these are usually free)
Depression Quest - http://www.depressionquest.com/dqfinal.html
The Uncle Who Works for Nintendo - http://jayisgames.com/games/the-uncle/
With Those We Love Alive - http://aliendovecote.com/uploads/twine/empress/empress.html
Queers in Love at the End of the World - http://auntiepixelante.com/endoftheworld/
or any other Twine game (for more visit: https://itch.io/games/top-rated/tag-twine).

Block B - First-Person
Gone Home - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=gonehome
The Stanley Parable - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=stanleyparable
The Beginner's Guide - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=beginnersguide
Firewatch - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=firewatch

Block C - Traditional
To the Moon - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=tomoon
A Bird Story - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=abirdstory
Jazzpunk - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=jazzpunk
The Walking Dead - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=walkingdead

Block D - Experimental
Her Story - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/price?plain=herstory
That Dragon, Cancer - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=thatdragoncancer
VA-11 Hall-A - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=vaiihallacyberpunkbartenderaction
Contradiction: Spot the Liar - https://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/info?plain=contradictionspotliar

An academic paper, regular attendance and active participation in class are essential for passing this course. Further announcements will be posted on Stud.IP.