Module Descriptors
NARRATOLOGY FOR GAMES
GAME40246
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 4
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Luke Haslett
Email: Luke.Haslett@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 72
Independent Study Hours: 228
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF A COMPLETE NARRATIVE-BASED DIGITAL GAME EXPERIENCE. weighted at 50%
- DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF A COMPLETE NARRATIVE-BASED TABLETOP ROLE-PLAYING GAME EXPERIENCE weighted at 50%
Module Details
LEARNING STRATEGIES
3 hours of lecture time per week.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1) ANALYSE THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE OF A COMPUTER GAME.
2) DEMONSTRATE A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF STORY STRUCTURES, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND NARRATIVE ELEMENTS.
3) CRITICALLY APPRAISE OTHER GAMES AND PRODUCE COMPETENT JUDGEMENTS OF THE POSSIBLE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THEIR NARRATIVE.
4) APPLY AND IDENTIFY NARRATIVE THEORY IN TABLETOP ROLEPLAYING GAMES
2) DEMONSTRATE A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF STORY STRUCTURES, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND NARRATIVE ELEMENTS.
3) CRITICALLY APPRAISE OTHER GAMES AND PRODUCE COMPETENT JUDGEMENTS OF THE POSSIBLE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THEIR NARRATIVE.
4) APPLY AND IDENTIFY NARRATIVE THEORY IN TABLETOP ROLEPLAYING GAMES
TEXTS
Bateman, C. (July 2006) Game Writing Narrative Skills for Videogames. USA: Charles River Media
Despain, W. (2020) Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing. CRC Press, 2nd Ed.
Crawford, C. (Oct 2004) Chris Crawford on Interactive Storytelling. USA: New Riders
Bal, M. (2009) Narratology, Introduction to the Theory of Narrative. University of Toronto Press, 3rd Ed
Murray, J. (1997) Hamlet On the Holodeck. The Free Press
Salen, K. & Zimmerman, E. (2004) Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. MIT Press.
Barton, M. (2003) Dungeons & Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games. Massachusetts: A K Peters Ltd.
Despain, W. (2020) Professional Techniques for Video Game Writing. CRC Press, 2nd Ed.
Crawford, C. (Oct 2004) Chris Crawford on Interactive Storytelling. USA: New Riders
Bal, M. (2009) Narratology, Introduction to the Theory of Narrative. University of Toronto Press, 3rd Ed
Murray, J. (1997) Hamlet On the Holodeck. The Free Press
Salen, K. & Zimmerman, E. (2004) Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. MIT Press.
Barton, M. (2003) Dungeons & Desktops: The History of Computer Role-Playing Games. Massachusetts: A K Peters Ltd.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Here is a guide to the topics that will be covered in this module:
- An introduction to the study of narratology.
- Traditional & modern techniques of understanding stories and how they apply to games.
- Narratological concepts and theories regarding structure and character archetypes.
- Critical deconstruction of games identifying narrative content from Indie to AAA.
- Recognising how & why players interact with the narrative content of games.
- An introduction to the study of narratology.
- Traditional & modern techniques of understanding stories and how they apply to games.
- Narratological concepts and theories regarding structure and character archetypes.
- Critical deconstruction of games identifying narrative content from Indie to AAA.
- Recognising how & why players interact with the narrative content of games.
ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Design and production of a complete narrative-based digital game experience. Towards learning outcome 1 & 3. 50% weighting.
Design and production of a complete narrative-based tabletop role-playing game experience. Towards learning outcome 2 & 4. 50% weighting.
Design and production of a complete narrative-based tabletop role-playing game experience. Towards learning outcome 2 & 4. 50% weighting.
WEB DESCRIPTOR
This module looks at understanding how important narrative is to games from the analogue tabletop role-playing game scene, to modern digital games platforms like Indie & AAA. Students will also gain perspective on the history & trends of interactive fiction, allowing them to prepare for a future in narrative design, as well as looking at narrative roles relevant in the industry today. This will all be showcased by developing interactive narrative games for multiple gameplay environments using industry-standard development practices.