Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2010.
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2010
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/59570 |
| _version_ | 1811093056457277440 |
|---|---|
| author | Begy, Jason Scott |
| author2 | Doris C. Rusch. |
| author_facet | Doris C. Rusch. Begy, Jason Scott |
| author_sort | Begy, Jason Scott |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2010. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T15:38:46Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | mit-1721.1/59570 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T15:38:46Z |
| publishDate | 2010 |
| publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/595702019-04-12T11:19:16Z Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements Begy, Jason Scott Doris C. Rusch. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Comparative Media Studies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Comparative Media Studies. Comparative Media Studies. Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2010. This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. Cataloged from student submitted PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-92). As cultural artifacts, abstract games offer unique challenges to critical interpretation. This is largely due to the fact that such games lack a fictional element: there are no characters, no settings, and no narratives to speak of. In this thesis I propose that understanding the various formal elements of games as metaphors can both serve as an effective critical method and offer insights into designing more expressive games. I begin by addressing the ambiguity surrounding the phrase "abstract game" and offer a definition rooted in Peircean semiotics and Juul's model of games as consisting of both rules and fiction. I next offer a model of games as consisting of three levels: the system, audio-visual, and affective. This is followed by an overview of Lakoff and Johnson's concept of "metaphor" as "understanding one thing in terms of another." I then argue that different types of metaphors have a natural affinity for the system and affective levels of games. From this I develop methods for a critical method wherein games are considered to be metaphors. I conclude with a discussion of this method's implications for game design and future game research. by Jason Scott Begy. S.M. 2010-10-29T13:53:15Z 2010-10-29T13:53:15Z 2010 2010 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/59570 670220296 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 93 p. application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| spellingShingle | Comparative Media Studies. Begy, Jason Scott Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements |
| title | Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements |
| title_full | Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements |
| title_fullStr | Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements |
| title_short | Interpreting abstract games : the metaphorical potential of formal game elements |
| title_sort | interpreting abstract games the metaphorical potential of formal game elements |
| topic | Comparative Media Studies. |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/59570 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT begyjasonscott interpretingabstractgamesthemetaphoricalpotentialofformalgameelements |