Seven basic plots in sims and games

Seven Plot Lines

Dr Elyssebeth Leigh FutureSearch

Sydney

Serious Games BarCamp @ AFTRS 8/5/2010

Serious GAmes BarCamp @ AFTRS 8/5/2010

•  Overcoming the monster – heroes/heroines in the story defeat some strong force which threatens them/their lives

•  The Quest – key characters are propelled – or choose -‐ to enter into a journey driven by a search for some worthwhile ‘thing’ or place – in most versions of this plot the searchers are successful

•  Journey and Return -‐ the hero/heroine leaves a place of safety (e.g. home) and journeys to somewhere ‘alien and strange’. Their return reveals they have had experiences that – most oTen – have created a change in them

•  Comedy – this is not limited to a ‘funny’ story. Usually it begins with some kind of misunderstanding or ignorance of relevant facts that keeps heroes/heroines apart but which is resolved in a manner that brings the main characters back together by/before the story ends

•  Tragedy – the heroes/heroines are tempted in some way that ensnares their character’s ‘flaw’ -‐ vanity, greed, pride etc. They become increasingly desperate or alienated being trapped by their acXons unXl at a point of climax one or more key characters usually die.

•  Rebirth – the heroes/heroines are captured or oppressed in some specific way. All seem to exist in a state of exile or enslavement unXl all seems lost – oTen a miracle or unexpected arrival brings the longed for freedom from oppression

•  Rags to Riches – this is so familiar as to be a self explanatory Xtle


Suspension of Disbelief •  The goal is to have players accept the ‘unreal’ reality of their experience – We know what we know and will not go far beyond that before we stop accepXng the story

•  The context in which we/they are is central –  In a playground we accept one set of realiXes, in the classroom these no longer apply

•  Power relaXonships influence acceptance – Who ‘tells’ the story? Who owns the ending? What happens aTerwards?

•  Nature of the engagement determines reacXons –  They must be ‘true’ to individual understanding of what is ‘reasonable’ (not ‘possible’)


Overcoming the monster

•  Key players defeat strong threatening force. Examples –  Alien –  Predator –  How to train your dragon –  Portal – valve –  Harry Po`er –  Jaws – Matrix –  Donkey Kong –  Heavy Rain


The Quest •  Characters enter a journey searching for a worthwhile ‘thing’ or place – and are oTen successful.

•  Examples – Mario bros –  Sinbad –  Thelma and Louise –  Lord of the rings – MMORPGs -‐ RPG’s –  Branching games


Journey and Return

•  Characters leaves a safe place to journey to ‘alien /strange’ places. Return shows experiences have changed them.

•  Examples –  Lord of the Rings –  Homer – the illiad

–  Paolo Coehlo • 


Comedy

•  Begins with misunderstanding or ignorance of facts that keeps characters apart -‐ resolved in a way to brings them together by/before the end.

•  Examples?


Tragedy

•  Characters are tempted in way that ensnares character ‘flaw’ -‐ vanity, greed, pride etc -‐ become increasingly desperate or alienated, trapped by their acXons unXl at climax someone dies.

•  Examples?


Rebirth •  Characters are captured or oppressed in some

specific way. All seem to be exiled or enslaved -‐ all seems lost – oTen a miracle or unexpected arrival brings the longed for freedom from oppression –  Shawshank RedempXon

–  Joseph and his technicolour dreamcoat


Rags to Riches

•  Self explanatory?


Factors •  What is a tragedy for them may be a comedy for me •  “Two story lines “stranger comes to town -‐ OR – the danger

comes to you •  TransacXonal and transformaXonal perspecXves of the

framework •  Joseph Campbell as ‘biographer’ of the “hero’s journey” •  If games only pick up/use some of these categories why is

this so? –  Technology limitaXons –  What else?

•  But wait there’s more – only we did not have Xme, this Xme!

•  If this presentaXon was a ‘story’ which of these ‘seven plot lines’ would best describe it?


Documents

Seven basic plots in sims and games