Adapting video games for TV: A nexus of interactive and linear storytelling
2024 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
The Entertainment Industry has long been plagued by the “Video Game Curse”, a term used by both fans and critics to describe the historically poor performance and reception of video game adaptations to film and television, often resulting from a failure to capture the essence and appeal of the original games (Barasch, 2023). However, in the last few years, there have been several successful video game-to-film/TV adaptations released (Williams, 2021), with many more adaptations in development. Has the “Video Game Curse” finally been lifted? And if so, then how and why now? This thesis will examine how the “Video Game Curse” has manifested itself in film and TV productions and how more recent media seem to have learned from the mistakes of the past. Using a theoretical creative development project for a TV series based on the cult classic video game, Mirror’s Edge (2008), this paper will unpack the unique challenges and opportunities that come with adapting video games into film and TV. This analysis will also include a discussionon the evolution of storytelling techniques, the importance of authentic representation of the game's world and characters, and the integration of interactive elements that define video games into a passive viewing experience.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 82, [63]
Keywords [en]
Video games, film, television, media convergence, transmedia storytelling, adaptation theory, creative development, data analytics
National Category
Media and Communications
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:his:diva-23926OAI: oai:DiVA.org:his-23926DiVA, id: diva2:1867408
Subject / course
Media, Aesthetics and Narration
Educational program
Digital Narration: Game and Cultural Heritage - Master's Programme
Supervisors
Examiners
Note
Det finns övrigt digitalt material (t.ex. film-, bild- eller ljudfiler) eller modeller/artefakter tillhörande examensarbetet som ska skickas till arkivet.
There are other digital material (eg film, image or audio files) or models/artifacts that belongs to the thesis and need to be archived.
2024-06-102024-06-102025-02-07Bibliographically approved