Robert Brookey’s “Hollywood Gamer” discusses the study of video game spin-offs of films. When measuring the real persuasive power of video games, it is important to consider procedural rhetoric, that is, “the practice of authoring arguments through processes… Arguments are made not through the construction of words or images, but through the authorship of rules of behavior, the construction of dynamic models.” This first chapter introduces the familiar discussion of narrratology versus ludology. When studying video game spin-offs, it is more applicable to view games from a ludologist’s perspective. That is, to study the game by focusing on the act of play rather than view video games as narrative texts. This is because video game spin-offs’ storylines and settings often parallel, intersect and extend those of the films they are based on. The author uses Kingdom Hearts as an example. While introducing an original, main story involving new characters, many of the maps, characters and subplots are derived from Disney tales. While the narratives and texts in these games are already known, it is through the interaction with the player that the story is advanced and experienced. Games offer players options to mold existing stories into their very own. This gives players the satisfaction and freedom not found in other forms of media such as movies. Players not only watch the story unfold, but they actually live it themselves. The notion that active participation imparts player empowerment instills an effective sense of procedural rhetoric.
Are you a gamer that prefers original stories or do you like to play games that are spin-offs of films?
I definitely like original stories better because I feel like the movie can always tell a better story than the game adaptation can. Maybe this is because the quality of game spin-offs is generally subpar. If the quality improved to that of original stories, I can see myself liking them more, but I don't see that happening. I think game spin-offs are generally made to squeeze some extra cash out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughftul and intelligent post. Would you consider "Kingdom Hearts" a spin-off, or rather an original game that benefitted from importing some well known characters and storylines from another medium? Some critics have said that television programs like the old "Celebrity Deathmatch" did this as well. I agree with what you say as well about the pleasures of interacting with familiar rather than totally new characters and virtual worlds.
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