MMORPGs - A Narratological Approach: Journeys in the World of Warcraft
Author
Frederiksen, Per Hessellund
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2008
Pages
66
Abstract
This thesis explores how narratological theories can be used to analyze Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs), using World of Warcraft as a case study. It proceeds from the premise that engaging with narratives involves a journey and assembles an analytical tool to identify and describe journey patterns in the game’s quest design and avatar progression. The framework draws on Wolfgang Iser and Roman Ingarden on reading and textual gaps, Marie-Laure Ryan and Richard Gerrig on immersion, Christopher Vogler’s Hero’s Journey, and Murray Smith’s Structure of Sympathy, and includes discussions of sociability, playability, and catharsis. The method is a theoretical synthesis applied to core WoW structures: simple and complex quests, leveling from 1 to 70, and group collaboration in endgame raids. The thesis aims to show that narratology offers valid insights into MMORPGs and to outline a tool for journey analysis; final conclusions are not included in this excerpt.
Specialet undersøger, hvordan narratologiske teorier kan anvendes til at analysere Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) med World of Warcraft som casestudie. Udgangspunktet er, at mødet med narrativer indebærer en rejse, og specialet sammensætter et analytisk værktøj til at identificere og beskrive rejsemønstre i spillets quest-design og avatarens progression. Rammeværket bygger på Wolfgang Iser og Roman Ingarden om læsning og tekstens tomrum, Marie-Laure Ryan og Richard Gerrig om immersion, Christopher Voglers Hero’s Journey samt Murray Smiths Structure of Sympathy, og inkluderer diskussioner af sociabilitet, spilbarhed og katarsis. Metoden er en teoretisk syntese, der anvendes på centrale WoW-strukturer: simple og komplekse quests, level-forløb fra 1 til 70 og gruppesamarbejde i endgame-raids. Specialet har til hensigt at vise, at narratologi kan give valide indsigter i MMORPGs og danne grundlag for et værktøj til rejseanalyse; de endelige konklusioner fremgår ikke af dette uddrag.
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Keywords