Denna uppsats utforskar hur elektroniska spel fungerar som medium för berättande genom att undersöka aspekter av debatten som ägde rum i början av 2000-talet mellan narratologer och ludologer, angående hur man bäst bör närma sig och studera spel. Med rötterna i en jämförelse av hur ludologer och spelteoretiker närmar sig ämnet försöker uppsatsen sedan bredda perspektiven genom att jämföra den narratologiska strukturen hos spelet med mer konventionella medier för berättande, såsom filmer och litteratur. Genom att jämföra de traditionella strukturerna med strukturen och den inneboende berättelsen i spelet Amnesia: The Bunker, blir det tydligt att spelet överensstämmer med narratologiska egenskaper. Spelet innehåller en välskriven berättelse och detta faktum bör inte avfärdas på grund av att den presenteras i det interaktiva formatet ett spel utgör. Syftet med denna uppsats är inte att avvisa ett ludologiskt tillvägagångssätt eller hävda att spelet är något annat än ett spel. Målet är snarare att belysa komplexiteten i formatet och – precis som debatten slutligen gjorde till viss del – komma fram till slutsatsen att en narratologisk angreppspunkt är möjlig vid studerandet av spel men den bör inte utesluta andra forskningsmetoder, och vice versa. / This essay explores the topic of video games as a storytelling medium by examining certain aspects of the debate that took place in the early 2000s between narratologists and ludologists, regarding how to best approach and study video games. Taking root in a comparison between how ludologists and game theorists approach the subject of video games, the essay then attempts to broaden the perspectives by comparing the narratological structure of the game to classical structures seen in more conventional forms of storytelling, such as movies and literature. By comparing such structures to the structure and inherent narrative in the game Amnesia: The Bunker, it becomes evident that the game aligns with narratological attributes. The game contains a well-written story, and this should not be dismissed by the fact that it is presented in the interactive format of a video game. The purpose of this essay is not to reject a ludological approach or to claim that the game is anything else but a game. The aim is rather to highlight the complexity of the format and – just like the debate eventually did to some degree – come to the conclusion that a narratological approach to video games is possible but it should not exclude other methods of research, and vice versa.

Digitala rollspel har idag allt större och mer inlevelserika spelvärldar, vilket bidrar till hög inlevelse hos användarna. Följaktligen ser genren såväl stora framgångar inom spelindustrin som ett större forskningsintresse inom akademin. För att öka inlevelseförmågan i spel ägnar sig spelutvecklare åt världsbyggande, en process som flitigt tillämpas inom den spekulativa genren. Den här studien behandlar en underkategori av världsbyggande benämnd "sekundärt berättande": berättelser inom berättelser som i spel ofta kallas "sidouppdrag" eller ”side quests”. Dessa avser alla typer av berättelser i spel som inte är en del av den primära berättelsen och därmed inte är obligatoriska för spelets slutförande. Denna studie framställer tesen att sekundära berättelser gör användarupplevelser mer inlevelserika, både på narratologiska och ludiska sätt. För att utforska tesen samlade studien in insikter från tre spelutvecklare och 63 rollspelare för att se hur de olika grupperna värderade sekundära narrativ. Studieresultaten stödjer observationen att väldesignade och välintegrerade sekundära berättelser bidrar till förhöjd spelinlevelse.

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In this study we aimed to investigate the process through which players of video games situate, and form an understanding of their presence within the virtual game environment. This study specifically investigates this process in games played through a first person perspective with the intention of minimising the amount of visual information provided the participants. For this purpose we created two scenarios within a videogame environment specifically design for the study. A total of thirteen participants took part in the study, and after each season a semi structured interview was performed. In a qualitative content analysis we identified patterns and commonalities ascertaining to our line of questioning, and conclude that while the player-presence relationship would appear to be largely dependent on the individual’s type of play, the varying focus on either narratology or ludology in our two scenarios did indeed influence the participants to approach this relationship similarly within the separate groups. Finally we defined four types of player-presence relationship, and how they can be said to relate to the varying ludonarrative dynamics within the two specified genres, as well as the varying types of play observed amongst the participants in our study.

Uppsatsen tar sig – med utgångspunkt i en analys av spelet Tomb Raider (2013) – an frågan om hur karakterisering genomförs inom interaktiva dataspel. Wahlsten väljer att använda sig dels av Sonja K Foss metod för narrativ analys, dels av Ian Bogosts procedurala retorik för att visa hur karaktären Lara Croft konstrueras under loppet av spelet. Dessa två metoder används för att kartlägga verktygen med vilka spelets narrativ presenteras, såväl de interaktiva som de icke-interaktiva. Uppsatsen visar tydligt och med många exempel att det finns en spänning mellan narrativets krav och spelarens intressen som ifrågasätter idén om att interaktiva spel i första hand påverkar genom immersion - tvärt om är spelen uppbyggda på så sätt att spelaren förutsätts dels identifiera sig med huvudkaraktären, dels ta avstånd från och använda denna som ’en virtuell leksak’ under loppet av spelet. Därmed pekar också Wahlsten ut ett tämligen okänt men mycket intressant forskningsområde för retorikvetenskapen. Wahlsten är medveten om att hans val av studieobjekt inte är självklart inom retoriken, men argumenterar väl för behovet av att studier av spel/Virtual Reality är och i synnerhet i framtiden bör vara, ett centralt område inom retorikforskningen / The essay asks the question how characterization in video games is accomplished, with the subject of analysis being the video game Tomb Raider (2013). Wahlsten chooses to use the methodology of Sonja K Foss for the narrative analysis, in addition to Procedural Rhetoric coined by Ian Bogost. These two methodologies are used to map out the tools used to construct the narrative of the game, which includes interactive one as well as non-interactive ones.   The essay clearly shows that there is a definite tension between the demands of the narrative on the player that puts into question the idea of interactive games mainly influencing through immersion. On the contrary, the game is constructed in such a way that the player is expected to identify with the playable character, while also motivating the player to distance itself from the character and use it as a sort of “virtual plaything”. Wahlsten thus highlights a fairly obscure but also highly interesting field of study within the Rhetorical sciences. Wahlsten is aware the object of study is not an obvious one within the field Rhetoric, but argues for the need of studies of games and Virtual Reality, and the importance of them for Rhetorical sciences in the future.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T18:14:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TV Digital, jogos e narrativas interativas na TVi - Joao Ranhel.pdf: 1240500 bytes, checksum: 4f42fe7170e002d6b0ade972220e94fb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-12-19 / This thesis exposes a survey of new theories, researches and new approaches in the areas of narratology and ludology. It also exposes investigations on feasibility of using the knowledge acquired in such areas in developing new interactive contents for Digital Interactive TV (iTV). Initially the text shows an objective description of technical and operational aspects of the iTV. In the sequence, the narratologists and ludologists propositions are discussed. Narratology is a line of thought that studies the possibilities of interactive dramas a narrative structure in which the user can immerse as a character that he/she plays in first-person. Ludology is a line of thought that studies computer games virtual environments and worlds where the user can simulate, explore, face challenges, etc. The present research tries to survey the most relevant theoretical approaches and propositions from both areas narratology and ludology. Based on such propositions and theories we evaluate the possibility of introducing interactive dramas, new forms of games and new interactive programs in the iTV environment. / A presente pesquisa expõe um levantamento sobre recentes teorias, pesquisas e abordagens nas áreas da narratologia e da ludologia. Baseado nas propostas e teorias mais relevantes de ambas as áreas, analisa-se as possibilidades de introdução de narrativas interativas, de novas formas de jogos e de novos aplicativos televisuais na TV Digital Interativa (TVi). Na primeira parte, uma descrição objetiva sobre os aspectos técnicos e operacionais da TVi é apresentada. Na seqüência são mostradas as propostas narratológicas. Narratologia é uma linha de pensamento que estuda a criação de dramas interativos estruturas narrativas nas quais o usuário pode imergir para vivenciar um papel em primeira-pessoa. Na terceira parte da pesquisa as propostas ludológicas são abordadas. Ludologia é uma linha de pensamento que estuda os jogos computacionais estruturas de mundos virtuais nos quais o usuário pode simular situações, explorar mundos, enfrentar desafios, etc. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho busca outras formas interativas de expressão no novo meio que surge, a TVi.

En el marc ampli de les teories audiovisuals, aquesta tesi doctoral aborda les relacions entre identitat, narració i videojocs des de la perspectiva de l'antropologia cultural, de les teories narratològiques en cinema i literatura i de la ludologia. Es proposa la figura teòrica del jugador implicat per explicar el tipus de relació entre el jugador i el seu personatge, en relació amb la construcció d'un relat identitari. En aquest sentit, es relaciona la idea de marcs d'experiència amb la de nivells narratius i narradors. El model teòric i metodològic resultant s'aplica a l'estudi de cas de dos videojocs: Silent Hill 2, un survival horror monousuari, i Espai8, un joc de rol en línia massiu i multiusuari. / En el marco amplio de las teorias audiovisuales, esta tesis doctoral aborda las relaciones entre identidad, narración y videojuego desde la perspectiva de la antropología cultural, de las teorías narratológicas en cine y literatura y de la ludología. Se propone la figura teórica del jugador implicado para explicar el tipo de relación entre el jugador y su personaje, en relación con la construcción de un relato identitario. En este sentido, se relaciona la idea de marcos de experiencia con la de niveles narrativos y narradores. El modelo teórico y metodológico resultante se aplica al estudio de caso de dos videojuegos: Silent Hill 2, un survival horror monousuario y Espai8, un juego de rol en línea masivo y multijugador. / In the wide framework of audiovisual theories, this PhD. thesis undertakes the relation between identity, narrative and videogames from the point of view of cultural anthropology, of narratological theories in cinema and literature and of ludology. We propound the theoretical figure of the implied player connected with the construction of a discourse of the self-identity. In this sense, we connect the idea of frames of experience with the idea of narrative levels and narrators. The resulting theoretical and methodological model it’s applied to the study case of two video games: Silent Hill 2, a singleplayer survival horror, and Espai8, a massively multiplayer online rol-playing game.

Die Qualität der Schnittstelle eines Videospiels kann wesentlich zu dessen kommerziellen Erfolg beitragen. Dennoch beschränkt sich die entsprechende Evaluation primär auf die Auswertung qualitativer Daten, die etwa in Nutzertests erhoben werden. Inferenzstatistische Verfahren kommen bisher mangels theoretischer Grundlagen kaum zum Einsatz. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt daher ein theoretisches Framework zur quantitativen Analyse verschiedener Dimensionen der Schnittstellengestaltung in Videospielen zur Verfügung. Dabei wird ausgehend von spielwissenschaftlichen Überlegungen und einer Erweiterung von Huizingas Konzept des „magic circle“ ein Bogen von perzeptiven, psychologischen und soziologischen bis hin zu kulturellen Aspekten gespannt. Methodisch handhabbar wird dieses Konstrukt durch eine Ausrichtung am Genre-Begriff, der für den Bereich der Videospiele diskutiert wird. So entsteht ein ganzheitliches Modell, das den Grundstein zu einem zielgruppenspezifischen und quantitativen Messinstrument für Interfaces in Videospielen legt. / The quality of a videogame’s interface is a decisive factor to its commercial success. However, the current evaluation methods focus primarily on qualitative research data like those generated in usability tests. Methods of inferential statistics are not common yet because of a lack of theoretical fundamentals. To address this issue, this paper provides a theoretical framework for quantitative analysis on different dimensions of interface design in videogames. Aspects of perception, psychology, sociology as well as culture are dealt with in this context and the associated scientific concepts are conflated by a theoretical extension of Huizinga’s “magic circle”. The technical term “genre” in regard to videogames is also discussed in this paper and it proves to be a basis for connecting the various concepts methodically. As a result, this paper presents a holistic model, which can be applied in future audience-specific and quantitative measuring instruments for interfaces in videogames.

Die Qualität der Schnittstelle eines Videospiels kann wesentlich zu dessen kommerziellen Erfolg beitragen. Dennoch beschränkt sich die entsprechende Evaluation primär auf die Auswertung qualitativer Daten, die etwa in Nutzertests erhoben werden. Inferenzstatistische Verfahren kommen bisher mangels theoretischer Grundlagen kaum zum Einsatz. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt daher ein theoretisches Framework zur quantitativen Analyse verschiedener Dimensionen der Schnittstellengestaltung in Videospielen zur Verfügung. Dabei wird ausgehend von spielwissenschaftlichen Überlegungen und einer Erweiterung von Huizingas Konzept des „magic circle“ ein Bogen von perzeptiven, psychologischen und soziologischen bis hin zu kulturellen Aspekten gespannt. Methodisch handhabbar wird dieses Konstrukt durch eine Ausrichtung am Genre-Begriff, der für den Bereich der Videospiele diskutiert wird. So entsteht ein ganzheitliches Modell, das den Grundstein zu einem zielgruppenspezifischen und quantitativen Messinstrument für Interfaces in Videospielen legt. / The quality of a videogame’s interface is a decisive factor to its commercial success. However, the current evaluation methods focus primarily on qualitative research data like those generated in usability tests. Methods of inferential statistics are not common yet because of a lack of theoretical fundamentals. To address this issue, this paper provides a theoretical framework for quantitative analysis on different dimensions of interface design in videogames. Aspects of perception, psychology, sociology as well as culture are dealt with in this context and the associated scientific concepts are conflated by a theoretical extension of Huizinga’s “magic circle”. The technical term “genre” in regard to videogames is also discussed in this paper and it proves to be a basis for connecting the various concepts methodically. As a result, this paper presents a holistic model, which can be applied in future audience-specific and quantitative measuring instruments for interfaces in videogames.

Dans un effort pour mettre en valeur la pertinence de l’étude du jeu de cartes japonais Yu-Gi-Oh en tant que facteur non négligeable de la construction identitaire de ses joueurs, ce mémoire s’intéresse à l’analyse du rapport qu’entretiennent lesdits joueurs à leur jeu fétiche. Pour ce faire ce travail s’intéresse à trois des spécificités qui caractérisent le jeu de cartes Yu-Gi-Oh à savoir : l’élaboration transmédiatique de sa narration, le caractère décisif des interactions entre ses joueurs ainsi que l’appropriation personnalisée du jeu par les participants. A la croisée de multiples disciplines telles que la psychologie, la ludologie, la narratologie ou encore la sociologie et soutenues par plus deux mois de terrain, les analyses et propos présentés dans ce travail ont également pour objectif d’offrir une plongée aussi immersive qu’enrichissante au sein du milieu socio-culturel des joueurs de Yu-Gi-Oh rappelant du même coup l’importance que peut avoir la pratique ludique pour l’être humain moderne. Enfin, avec ce devoir j’espère pouvoir démontrer que les joueurs de Yu-Gi-Oh ont tendance à se raconter des histoires à propos d’eux-mêmes à partir de leur médium de choix. Les cartes aussi ont une histoire. / In an effort to highlight the relevance of the study of the Japanese card game Yu-Gi-Oh as a significant factor in the « identity building » of its players, this master thesis focuses on the analysis of the relationship between said players to their favorite game. To do this, this work focuses on three of the specificities that characterize the Yu-Gi-Oh card game, namely: the transmedia development of its narration, the decisive nature of the interactions between its players as well as the personalized appropriation of the game by the participants. At the crossroads of multiple disciplines such as psychology, ludology, narratology or sociology and supported by more than two months of fieldwork, the analyzes and remarks presented in this work also aim to offer a dive as immersive as it is enriching within the socio-cultural environment of Yu-Gi-Oh players recalling at the same time the importance that playful practice can hold for the modern man. Finally, with this work i hope to be able to demonstrate that Yu-Gi-Oh players tend to tell stories about themselves from their medium of choice. Cards also have stories to themself.