The main research problem of this constructive study is, how player’s learning during
game playing can be supported through game narrative design. When the solutions are
searched within narrative theories, modern game theories, and learning game design
research, the problem turns conceptually challenging. Basically, the challenge stems
from the ambiguous concept of narrative and the diversity of narrative theories. The
academic conversation on learning game design has drawn approaches from various
narrative theories and traditions of screenwriting and creative writing. Hence, the
conversation results fragmental.
Firstly, I consider what kind of narrative definition and conception should be
adopted, so that it best lends itself on applying narrative learning approaches, as well
as, recognizing the novel types of narrative encountered within digital game (design)
context. Secondly, I consider how the player’s role in game narratives can be
characterized and conce
ptualized. Finally, the third objective of the study is to
investigate, what guidelines for digital learning game narrative design can be
suggested, applying the constructed concepts and models.
The results contain two models of narrative, the constitutive one, and the game
design -oriented. Within the first-mentioned narrative model, four design areas of
narrative are specified and characterized. In the last-mentioned model, the four design
areas are set to intersect digital game rules. Besides, the concept of co-storyliner is
proposed in order to discuss the position of the player in a game narrative intended by
the designer. When a designer determines links between the narrative design areas and
the game rules, he formulates the grounds and the position from which a player as a
co-storyliner will conduct meaning negotiations and pondering during game playing.
Meaning negotiations and ponderings are something the player must do in order to
pursue and express agency within the game. Hence, when considering player’s
learning during narrative game playing, I recognize the player’s meaning negotiations
and ponderings particularly essential.
The study demonstrates, in general, the multidimensional design potential of
game narratives, and especially, the challenging nature of digital narrative design from
the learning game point of view. Several different ways of constructing learning
support can be applied on the four design areas of narrative. Above all, the learning
game narrative designer should piece together the narrative and game rule -related
design decisions as a whole, and concern himself with how the constructed conditions
of meaning negotiations can develop the player regarding the explicitly set learning
objective.
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