Not Just Point & Click: The Poetics of Choice (& Resistance) in Narrative Games

Abstract

Mainstream video games are only occasionally seen as sites of compelling digital storytelling, and even more rarely attract controversy for their narrative representations. However, the medium of video games is far broader than bestsellers suggest, and some of the most powerful examples of interactive digital narratives can be found in personal games. Typically created by individuals or small teams using emerging platforms that enable rapid and accessible development, these personal games range from short hypertextual confessions to unusual and emotional interactive worlds. Examining the poetics of recent personal games inspired by ongoing political upheaval in the United States reveals the power of these games as acts of resistance.