StoryTelling for New Media

The class blog for Fall ‘08, Digital Rhetoric and Contemporary Politics, is located here. This blog will be used again in the Spring.

Here is a link to some of the final projects for Story Telling for New Media, Spring ‘08. Not all of the projects are available via the web, and thus are not listed here. If your project is not listed, and you would like me to add it, send me an email.

Note: The final versions (including the write-up) are due Friday May, 2nd by 10:00am, my office.

• Ronnie’s Dating Simulation: Those who are fans of interactive fiction should check out this work. Make sure you read until the end, as the payoff is worth the investment.
• Matt & Vera’s Voyeur Story: “See No Evil” is sort of a Web 2.0 take on Rear Window or Disturbia which allows users to add there own pictures and short story segments via twitter.
• Andrew’s Blog Story: Andrew’s project is a slightly different take on the having a fictional character write a blog.
• Ardra’s Video Blog/Community:Ardra’s project is a blending of non-fiction, community and narrative, structured around a local Diner.
• Jorge’s MultiModal Nightmare Narrative: In the spirit of KateModern, Jorge tells a story via video blogging, text and animation about nightmares. Jorge’s work also invites viewers to contribute their stories as well.
• Daniel’s Blog Fiction: A Zombie decides to share his daily life with readers, and dispel prejudices and myths about zombies.
• Katrina and Mary bring you a internet plus real space story: This one involves collaborative authorship in real spaces.

Thursday will be the first day for the presentation of projects. Everyone should come to class prepared to present and discuss his or her creative or critical project. This will give you a chance to obtain feedback on your work before its final iteration.

Note: Attendance Thursday is mandatory, unless you clear it with me ahead of time.

For Tuesday read Simon Penny, “Representation, Enaction, and the Ethics of Simulation” in First Person.

Keep in mind that your projects need to be ready to present on Thursday.

For Thursday you need to read two articles. The first is “Representation, Enaction, and the Ethics of Simulation” by Simon Penny can be found in First Person. The second is called “Playing the Bad Guy”, by Shira Chess, and can be found on eReserves. You should print this second article out and bring it with you to class.

Tuesday we will still be discussing Grand Theft Auto. No need to play more than you already have (although you can, and still call it homework), instead search the internet and try to find the most creative/interesting/amusing way people have played the game. Bring said example to class.

Serious your homework is to play Grand Theft Auto for three hours. Have Fun-and be serious as we will have a lot to discuss about the game.

For Tuesday we will continue to discuss narratives in video games. Read Eric Zimmerman, “Narrative, Interactivity, Play, and Games” and Stuart Moulthrop, “From Work to Play” (Both in First Person) and bring the book to class.

Reminder: The second part of your project will be due on Thursday.

On Thursday we will start thinking about Video Games as a form of narrative New Media. For this class you should read Henry Jenkins’s, “Game Design as Narrative Architecture” and Marrku Eskelinen’s, “Towards Computer Game Studies.” (Both of these are in First Person.) Make sure you read the responses at the bottom of the page, especially since they highlight the conflict between these two, in a sometimes snarky way.

Reminder next Thursday, April 3rd, the first draft of your project will be do.

Tuesday we will continue to explore Alternative Reality Gaming. For class read “The Puppet Master Problem” by Jane McGonigal. (This article is a critical piece, so save some extra time to read it) Jane is one of the designers behind the now famous I Love Bees. Finally check out her latest project/ARG: The Lost Ring.