Forms and Functions of Endings in Narrative Digital Games

This book explores the endings of narrative digital games, examining how they conclude storytelling and play processes. It discusses various forms of endings, such as open-world play, multiple endings, and tragic endings, and investigates how they make themselves known to players. It draws on game studies and transmedial narratology to analyze the closural specificities of digital games and find the core elements that characterize endings in any medium.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves deeply into the captivating world of narrative digital games, exploring their unique approaches to concluding both storytelling and play. By examining the diverse ways in which these games bring their narratives to a close, it sheds light on the intricate nature of endings and their significance in various media. While narrative digital games share some commonalities with traditional narrative media, such as novels or movies, they also showcase a wide range of endings that defy conventional notions of conclusion and closure. From expansive game worlds that remain open for play even after the story's finale, to multiple endings that empower players to shape their own narratives, to potentially tragic endings of failure and game over, these games challenge the traditional singularity and finality of endings.

To unravel the complexities of these diverse forms, the book employs a broad range of examples, providing a comprehensive examination of their functions and implications. It delves into the ways in which endings make themselves known to players, raising important questions about the interplay between play, closure, and a player's pursuit of a goal. As an interdisciplinary study that draws on insights from game studies and transmedial narratology, Forms and Functions of Endings in Narrative Digital Games offers valuable insights for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of digital games as well as for narratologists seeking to explore this emerging medium.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of narrative digital games. It provides a comprehensive exploration of endings, their forms, and their functions, shedding light on the intricate interplay between storytelling, play, and player agency. By challenging our preconceptions and expanding our understanding of closure, it offers valuable insights into the rich and dynamic world of digital games.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367542535