Here's the big messy hypertext essay draft:
The following research will analyze the of videogames in the realm of cybertext, and examine some of the different categories that videogames fall under. It will also look at some of the reasons why academia has repeatedly rejected the place of videogames in the realm of electronic literature.
Videogames are undeniably a form of cybertext and are ergodic in nature. Within the videogame, you have the computer language beneath the surface, the actual signal that language signifies to the user, and whatever literary themes the game may or may not portray. Videogames are ergodic- demanding interaction between users and the text to any number of degrees. Some games are pure adventure- requiring only that the user interact with the symbols created by the computer language. These games are your typical platformers, like Super Mario Brothers and the original "Adventure Story". Other games, like Final Fantasy, create entire worlds to be explored and contain stories with themes and literary symbols. Other games, like Pheonix Write and Lux Pain on the Nintendo DS, are literal e-novels which feature almost no "gameplay" only interaction with the text.
Aarseth argues in her novel Cybertext: Perspectives on Electronic Literature that the literati have overlooked videogames and other forms of cybertext as potential literature for several reasons. For one, the vocabulary- the literary theory- of the previous print based realm simply isn't enough to describe the new medium. An enhanced theory which builds off of the poststructuralist rejection of classic dichotomies is necessary.
another blog
15 years ago
Joe, I can tell that your focus is going to relate video games to the world of cybertext, but not quite sure what it is you want to say.... is it relating to people playing video games on the computer? You might want to clarify this a bit. I think in order for me to be able to say if you are doing a research question or not, I feel I need some clarification. Maybe your focus could be how the world of Video gaming has changed and people now have greater access wherever they go to play video games. Back when we were kids, it was just a console that you had to have and play it on the tv.... now we have gaming that could take place on the computer. Think of those people who have laptops- they could be in the airport and playing video games. What type of sources are you using for your research? I think even if you surveyed people to find out where they are gaming, that could add value to your hypertext essay. Overall, I think your topic is good, but I feel I'm in need of a bit more clarification!
ReplyDeleteI think I got your focus. Why isnt video games considered electronic literature? Through reading your draft, I now see what you are saying. It almost made me kinda mad, that.. yah why isnt it considered electronic literature if some video games deals with no interaction but only text? I think this is a greeat idea and I think it will be an interesting hyper text essay. Good lUck!
ReplyDeleteFocus/Research Question: I'm guessing it's why the literati have snubbed games as lit - you seem to be pretty passionate about that one! And go with it - you'll hae to do a little defining and orientating for us nongamers, but really you're going into semiotics, symbolism - what makes a work literature or not - what power structures are at play in determining what in, what's out?
ReplyDeleteIs it a RQ?
Analysis, evaluation, interpretations:
main arguments/themes
#1 - ok- games are ergodic - but how does this make them lit? what lit traditions to they tie most intimately to?
#2 - down with dichotomy - ok, i got what's going on there
sources
just watch the jargon when you have your final product
Connections between focus and analysis
i'll wait and see what else you put up before i go there