Level 9 Introductions & Readings

LEVEL 9: STORIES AND GAMES

Up until this point, we have talked about games from a purely ludological viewpoint. That is, we have looked at games as a system of rules, with the implicit assumption that the rules are the game, and that a narrative of any kind is just window dressing. (Any word with the root lud- or ludo- is referring to games; the root is Latin for play. We use words like ludology and ludography and ludic because everything sounds more distinguished if you say it in Latin.)

But this is not entirely true. As mentioned when we talked about kinds of decisions (Level 6), some player choices may have absolutely no meaning within the game system and yet they are still meaningful because they are emotionally charged.

Those of you who play tabletop Role-Playing Games are probably more keenly aware of this. Think of the most interesting play session you’ve ever had. You’re probably not thinking of a die roll, or an interesting strategic decision that a player made in combat. You’re remembering something dramatic, emotional. You remember the story, not the die-rolling.

In Level 9 we look at these works and their effect on game design. We will build up a set of guidelines for how to tell a good story within a game. And then, at the end, we will tear it all down again.

Readings

• Into the Woods: a Practical Guide to the Hero’s Journey Links to an external site. by Bob Bates.
  This article summarizes Joseph Campbell’s work, as it is relevant to game design.
  
  
• What Every Game Developer Needs to Know about Story Links to an external site., by John Sutherland.
  This article summarizes the book Story by Robert McKee (which itself is essentially a practical guide to Aristotle’s Poetics), rounding out the Holy Trinity of storytelling for game designers.
  
  
• Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, by McCloud.
  Chapters 2 and 3, if you have a copy of that book. As you read, pay particular attention to how any of this might apply to games. Scott McCloud isn’t going to come out and say it, so you will have to connect the dots yourself.

• Extra Credits S4 E20-E21 "The Hero’s Journey" (Part 1) & (Part 2)
  Journey by Thatgamecompany follows the Campbell's Hero’s Journey closely.

• Extra Credits S1 E21 Narrative Mechanics
  Storytelling via mechanics. Play Missile Command Links to an external site. for five minutes before watching the video.

Additional Resources

For additional readings on these topics, click HERE. It is a list of resources that is student generated and regularly updated.