Learning Objectives:

Consider whether we agree with Salen and Zimmerman’s list of game features.

Understand what narratology and ludology mean.

Salen and Zimmerman (2004) identified several key features in defining a game.

Discuss each in turn and apply to actual games. Do you agree with their suggestions?

• Rules• Competition or contest• Outcomes• Involves decision-making• Not serious and absorbing• Never associated with material gain• Artificial/safe/outside ordinary life• Creates special social groups• Voluntary• Make-believe/representational

Salen and Zimmerman’s list:

• Complete your analysis chart to see if the games we have played fit with Salen and Zimmerman’s list.

Salen and Zimmerman’s list:

Salen and Zimmerman

I agree / do not agree with Salen and Zimmerman’s definition of a game because ….

• NARRATOLOGY

Narratology is the theory and study of narrative and narrative structure and the ways they affect our perception

http://www.reference.com/search?q=Narratology

• LUDOLOGY

Ludology is the discipline that studies games, play, toys and videogames.

http://www.ludology.org/

Ludology Blog

Narratology focuses on video games as a storytelling medium. This school of thought tends to treat video games like the ‘Holodeck’ from Star Trek, in which we get to become another person and act out that character in another world.

Ludology looks at games first and foremost as games. It is interested in games in terms of their rules, their interfaces and through the concept of play.

However, the division is somewhat artificial. In practice, game studies often involves elements of both approaches.

Narratology vs LudologyNarratology vs Ludology

Think back to your game- playing experiences. Which school of thought do you most agree with and why?

Write a paragraph explaining your view.