Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/interactive-media-gaming

Introduction

### Course Review: Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative **Platform**: Coursera **Instructor**: [Instructor's Name] **Duration**: [Course Duration] **Level**: University-level **Prerequisites**: None --- #### Overview "Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative" is a fascinating and intellectually stimulating course offered on Coursera, designed for both newcomers and seasoned gamers alike. This course elegantly explores the intersection of storytelling and gameplay, utilizing J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Lord of the Rings" as the central case study. By dissecting how stories transform as they migrate from literature to film and ultimately to massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), participants gain invaluable insights into the mechanics of narrative and its adaptation across various media. This course is perfect for those with a passion for literature who are curious about the evolving landscape of storytelling in gaming, as well as gamers eager to delve deeper into the narrative elements of the games they love. #### Course Outline & Content The course is structured into several weeks, each with focused themes that gradually build knowledge and understanding about the relationship between literature and gaming. Here’s a deeper dive into the syllabus: 1. **Game on! The History and Theory of MMOs**: This introductory week explores gaming culture and history, alongside fundamental concepts from game theory. By analyzing "The Lord of the Rings Online" (LOTRO), learners not only appreciate the historical context but also engage with foundational gaming principles. 2. **LOTRO and Tolkien**: In this week, the focus shifts to Tolkien’s literary contributions. The role of quests in both games and literature is explored, deepening understanding of the narrative structure. 3. **Romance and Realism**: Participants embark on an analytical journey through Tolkien’s legendary Mines of Moria, comparing narratives in the source material, film adaptation, and the game itself. The connection to romance literature through Robert Browning enriches the exploration of allegory and character development. 4. **Space and Time in Three Media**: The integration of space and time in narrative is discussed through classic and contemporary lenses, encouraging students to think critically about how different media convey immersion and audience connection. 5. **Pwning Spenser’s Faerie Queene**: A comparative analysis looks at Edmund Spenser's masterpiece and a student-created game, "Faerie Queene Online." This hands-on experience illustrates how narrative elements can be adapted and transformed within interactive contexts. 6. **The Holy Grail: A Good End Game**: The final week grapples with the thematic and structural completion of narratives. By examining the conclusion of Tolkien’s trilogy and LOTRO’s game mechanics, students are prompted to consider what constitutes a satisfying end to an interactive experience. #### Learning Experience The course's multimedia approach—integrating readings from literature, game design discussions, and hands-on projects—ensures that participants are engaged and stimulated. Each week provides both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, giving learners the tools to analyze and value narratives across platforms. The utilization of well-known literary works, paired with a beloved gaming franchise, makes content relatable and intriguing. The discussions are rich and invite participation, making it easier for students to connect with both their peers and the material. #### Recommendations I highly recommend "Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative" to anyone interested in the melding of storytelling and gaming. It offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how games are not just pastimes but complex narrative experiences. Whether you are an aspiring game designer, a literature enthusiast, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of the storytelling potential inherent in video games, this course provides valuable insights. ### Conclusion Overall, this course stands out as an innovative examination of narrative in the digital age. With its engaging content, accomplished instructors, and an interdisciplinary approach, "Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative" on Coursera is an enriching experience that is not to be missed. Embrace the opportunity to explore the rich terrain where literary art and interactive entertainment converge! #### Enrollment Information For more details on how to enroll in this course, please visit Coursera’s course page. Don’t miss out on expanding your understanding of both literature and gaming!

Syllabus

Game on! The History and Theory of MMOs

The course opens with a brief look at gaming culture and history, then introduces the chief game we will study, Turbine's "The Lord of the Rings Online." We then look at some key concepts in game theory such as remediation and Jesper Juul's treatment of rules and game design from his book "Half-Real: Video Games between Real Rules and Fictional Worlds." We end by considering games as journeys using Constantine Cavafy's poem "Ithaca."For details about this week's Readings, go to the Syllabus page in your Resources tab. ***For details about this week's Readings, go to the Syllabus page in your Resources tab.

After an overview of storytelling modes, we turn to Tolkien and his work. We then examine the role of quests in games and literature. Finally, we introduce romance and lyric literature using Robert Browning's poem "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came." ***For details about this week's Readings, go to the Syllabus page in your Resources tab.

This week we journey into the Mines of Moria, comparing a scene in Tolkien's novel, Peter Jackson's film, and "The Lord of the Rings Online." Then it's back to romance literature to delve into the intricacies of allegory, plot, theme, and character. The week closes with a look at John Keats' haunting ballad, "La Belle Dame sans Merci." ***For details about this week's Readings, go to the Syllabus page in your Resources tab.

Week 4's initial focus is our natural concepts of space and time, and how these dimensions inform the "storyworld" of a narrative. We then examine how directors, authors, and video game developers use these innate frameworks to tell stories, invoking Seymour Chapman's book "Film and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film." Close attention is paid to the mechanics of point of view, and how its use allows artists to connect with audiences. ***For details about this week's Readings, go to the Syllabus page in your Resources tab.

Hold on tight as we plunge into a discussion of Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene," one of the greatest romance poems in English. You will see for yourself how deep the vein of romance is when you read this story of knights, castles, an evil seductress, and an indomitable heroine. Then watch how a group of students remediated the same story in a video game they created: "Faerie Queene Online." ***For details about this week's Readings, go to the Syllabus page in your Resources tab.

Since Aristotle, the one constant in the study of narrative has been the analysis of beginnings, middles, and ends. As is appropriate for our last week, we spend much of our time examining how Tolkien takes leave of his readers at the end of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The final stage of MMOs--when your character has maxed out and completed all the quests--has always presented challenges to game makers. Although LOTRO continues to take us on our journey toward Mordor, it cannot escape the challenge of creating end-game material for advanced players. We look at two attempts to include advanced players in the events of Western Rohan and Helm's Deep. Finally, we ponder what comes after the end, as we read Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem, "Ulysses." ***For details about this week's Readings, go to the Syllabus page in your Resources tab.