Academic Writings - Video Game Narrative and Critique

In my studies of media, no medium has emphasized the cutting-edge of audience needs and conscientious development than video games. A young medium, games are still searching for the most effective means of organizing complex, and at times global, networks of studio professionals in order to deliver something emotional and engaging to audiences.

In this shifting media landscape, with video games taking an increasingly large role, an emphasis on storytelling, and the perspectives of both the creators and players that engage in that act, cannot be taken for granted. My studies with Professors Schlund-Vials and O'Brien had me become more aware of what video games can communicate, and how they can communicate. They taught me about how marginalized and dis-empowered demographics look to games for empathy and empowerment, and how they can be yet still overlooked in the process of creating them. Most of all - they taught me that the potential of this universal language of interactive expression was only just beginning to be realized, and had me realize my desire to be a part of it.