A Functional Perspective on Narrative in Computer Games - Wolf Maul

A <strong>Functional</strong> <strong>Perspective</strong> on Narrative in Computer Games
Teresa Blake’s life had become frustrating and depressing due to a physical illness that
had robbed her of her strength. Her condition continued to limit her ability to interact with the
world, and her existence had shrunk smaller and smaller. Teresa no longer had the strength or
stamina for lifting or walking, and had difficulty with even simple tasks such as holding a
teacup. The possibility of enjoying athletic pursuits, as she once had, had diminished until it
was a distant – perhaps impossible – dream.
In the fantasy world of one particular game, however, this reality could all be forgotten. In
that world she could be as strong as she wanted. Her warrior alter ego was able to vanquish
demons with a wide array of weaponry wielded with a strength and agility that she no longer
possessed in the real world. The quest through evil, creature-infested dungeons became a fight
against more than virtual monsters; it became a struggle against her own demons. Her
participation in the game’s story – that of a hero overcoming a seemingly unconquerable
adversary – brought her on a psychological journey that paralleled and helped her cope with
her real-life struggle.
Stories can have powerful effects on us. Enacted in virtual worlds, they can transport us
and allow us a range of experience beyond the confines of our physical realities. [See footnotes
for a list of relevant titles on this subject. 1 ] They also provide us with a shared framework from
which to reflect on our common experience. Narrative, as a meta-language of communication
and encoded meaning, is both functional and enjoyable. It constitutes a significant part of our
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