The game that I chose to evaluate for its uses of cyberdrama is Little Big Planet, this game revolves around a character you can create - a sackperson. The goal of this game is to make it through a obstacle course like scene and to collect as many points and items you can. This game is a mix between a puzzle and a contest because you can play online with other players as well. The limitations of the game come from the traps and the knowledge base of the player. The character has to overcome obstacles in order to win the level. This game is very imagination based and is fictional. The article we read describes the difference between gaming and storytelling: "a story has greater emphasis on plot; a game has greater emphasis on the actions of the player" which I believe is true. The article we read describes agency as a term they use to distinguish the pleasure of interactivity from the two properties of the procedural and the participatory. Agency is interactive, this is shown in Little Big Planet when the player changes the outfits of their sackperson. The player is immersed in the game. Agency is taking a look at who's in control in the game, in LBP I would think the player who controls the character is the agency because they are in control of what their character does in the game. This game involves a visual narrative which uses writing, directing, and acting. You are able to interact with other players by writing to them and directing them what to do in the game and you are also acting as a character in a game. I would say acting is no strong in LBP but I would agree with the idea that it is used to a certain extent. The character's actions impact the outcome of the game by how well the player controls their character and how well they can maneuver through the courses.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Theatrical Concepts in Human/Computer Activity
The six qualitative elements of structure include action, character, thought, language, melody (pattern), and spectacle (enactment).
One digital game that I think uses all six of these elements is Mario Kart. In Mario Kart the actions used are go-kart racing with different characters. The entire game is go-kart racing and you can choose different characters with different levels of skills to race against other characters. The characters in this game correspond to the characters of Super Mario Bros. mainly including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong and Yoshi. There is thought that also goes into this digital game, how the characters interact and we know each characters background from previous Super Mario Bros. games, etc. Language is used as well, the characters can interact with each other verbally through messaging and also through body language. Music is also a key element in this video game. The music and sounds for and Super Mario Bros. game is generally the same which makes it stand out from other games. Also some levels of the game require you to have a partner which would be someone else playing as a different character. Although the characters don't verbally speak they just type with speech bubbles, melody (pattern) and spectacle (element) are both used. The scenes and backgrounds of each game has the same color scheme or likeness to it that can mesh the entire game as a whole together. They all look like they were created together and they are all connected on some level of sameness.
Mario Kart characters.
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