Task # 8 – Participatory Narrative and Collaberative Play
Part One:
Yes I do believe that video games can be consumed in the same way that we consume traditional media for entertainment purposes. New games have risen within the last few years such as the Wii console as well as games such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band where the goal of the game is clear and simple to all. Games where the player is very immersed in the game and the goal is unclear and misunderstood or not understood at all the ‘audience’ will not be as immersed in the narrative. On the other side of things, narratives in which the audience is very involved and interested it may be more likely that a passive audience will be more immersed. Also I think that people watching their friends or relatives play video games, this gives them a sense of agency and give the audience a chance to be active within the game. In the past when I have watched others play a game I was captivated by trying to learn what is going on in the game and how to play and the goals of the game. I think that there is a definite difference between consuming media and passive play because consuming media is merely consuming media where as being a passive player you can have input into the game and have an impact on the narrative.
