ENG 271 - Video Games as Literature (1)

As any avid gamer knows, the best games are the ones that offer us something beyond sexy graphics and exciting special effects. Whether you prefer isometric ARPGs, realistic FPS, or indie platformers with quirky characters, the reason we come back to play for hundreds of hours boils down to worldbuilding. The skills, weapons, armor, and quest items for each playable character have more of an impact on gameplay and on our experience of the game if they link in meaningful ways to that character and their backstory. For those who love an immersive gaming experience, the overarching narrative of the world itself can make a huge difference in continuing to entice our engagement. In this class, we’re going to combine significant amounts of gameplay with thought-provoking readings and casual writing projects to delve into how and why we can value the literary aspects of video games. We will cover topics ranging from what it means to be human, where our fears come from, or what kinds of bodies are valued to philosophical questions like the significance of choice, fate vs free will, and the ethics of violence. In doing so, we’ll also read a collection of short stories to draw direct comparisons between more typically “literary” forms of storytelling and games.
(Humanities) (Writing Encounter)