https://reddit.com/link/qs3u9h/video/qnnkpwofj3z71/player
Abstract:
Aspersion describes the effect that occurs when the moral and contextual rules and barriers, that a person creates when playing a game, are broken in a way that is authentic to them. How and why these are formed will be extensively explored in this work through leveling of terms from various fields of research, including not only game design but also psychology, philosophy, media research and film, in order to create a framework that allows the usage of their respective terms in relation as a game design lens and establish Aspersion as narrative tool. Addendum to original abstract: Aspersion might lead to increased investment into the narrative and less enstrangement on fourth-wall-breaks.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YhY76AQ66pdF8047DOV8K38mpQZCSDS2/view
This is my bachelor thesis from two years ago. I recently decided I wanted to invest into my interest of game studies and share this work to spark discussion and to receive feedback regarding writing and accuracy. Please do not be afraid to hurt me with any criticism!
Further reading: A better foundation and possible extension of the idea by Agata Waszkiewicz -> Twofold Play http://gamescriticism.org/articles/waszkiewicz-4-1
I am considering to rewrite my article into a bigger topic including both better foundation and integrating more aspects like twofold play into the understanding of whatever bigger framework of player-game-relationship there might be. Thus I am always interested in further literature expanding walls and barriers between game and player.
(Adapted from a comment I left earlier this evening)
I'm pretty frustrated with people thinking they can diagnose character flaws or a lack of intelligence based on dislike of the game.
What doesn't seem to come across is that it's not particularly hard to understand the intention behind important story beats, they just land really fucking wrong for some people and you don't get that.
I'll try to give an example even though its likely pointless.
E.g. When we see Joel's death scene from Abby's perspective, anyone who is paying attention can understand the purpose: Abby's face shows she feels conflicted about her revenge and the dialogue between the SLC members shows they have enough decency to hesitate to kill Ellie and Tommy in cold blood. This is meant to show you that they're human after all and understand there's something not right about what they are doing. Did the atmosphere and staging produce an emotional reaction that matches my understanding of the logic of the scene? Fuck. No. And I just felt disgusted and detached because a crucially important story moment that is required to justify the whole experience fell completely flat.
No one wants to try to understand this and they'd rather just write off people who were frustrated with the game as being emotionally stunted jerks who didn't understand the story. It's absolutely maddening.
I might have been one of those people
