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Narrative and Gameplay Design in the Story-Driven Videogame: A Case Study on The Last of Us

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Whole thesis(2.45 MB)

Date

2017

Authors

Supervisor

Matthews, Justin
Frommherz, Gudrun

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Master of Communication Studies

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

The story-driven trend over the last decade has experimented with incorporating narrative into the videogame alongside traditional gameplay. This study analyses some of the challenges when integrating narrative into the videogaming paradigm. A case study using formal analysis and close reading research methods analyses a critically and culturally acclaimed videogame titled The Last of Us. This study investigates the various design patterns of narrative and gameplay in The Last of Us to explore how narrative can be incorporated in the medium more effectively. Rather than using narrative as a subordinate feature within the system in The Last of Us, it is treated as a crucial component alongside the gameplay. Through various design methods, narrative and gameplay are layered together and overlap when the game is interacted with. Instead of competing for the player’s attention, both the narrative and gameplay support one another throughout the game. This case study on the narrative and gameplay design in The Last of Us and the emergent implications of the design decisions demonstrates how story can enhance the experiential capabilities in the videogame medium.

Description

Keywords

Narrative, Narratology, Gameplay, Ludology, Videogame, Video Game, Game Studies, Game Studies Case Study, The Last of Us, The Last of Us Case Study, Story-driven game, Game Design, Game Design Case Study

Source

DOI

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Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/10955

Collections

Masters Theses