The quest for ludonarrative : designing a ludonarrative analytical framework for analysis and design of ludonarrative in games through analysed case studies : Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

Abstract

As games have grown into the largest entertainment media in the world, significant research into the social, economic, and cultural impact of games has been conducted. However, investigation into the aesthetic and sense-making capacity of games is less well represented. Specifically, the intersection and synthesis of game narrative and gameplay, known as ludonarrative, is under theorised. This thesis addresses this gap by developing a framework for analysing and designing ludonarrative in games and testing it against three case studies; Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. The thesis includes an extensive literature review which identifies theories and frameworks to construct the Ludonarrative Analytic Framework (LAF), with close playing providing the data for case study analysis. In addition to the LAF, this thesis contributes analysis of the artistic value of the three case studies and furthers the conversation about games' capacity and methods for storytelling.

Date of Award	2021
Original language	English