Ludus ex Machina or 'the game from the machine' is about exploring how games, narrative and the machinic exist in a supplementary relationship. It is a forum for discussing aspects of my research on computer games with the ludic world as well the site for more general game-related chit chat. It is also the Domesday Book of my gaming activities and it is a diary sometimes. Finally (and first of all!) it's a blog. And your comments are most welcome.
Read about the etymology of Ludus Ex in myfirst post
About me
Hi, my name's Souvik and I am a videogame researcher. I have been working on videogames as a storytelling medium since way back in 2001 but I am also interested in various topics such as ethics, memory, temporality, paratexts and now, most recently, in the postcolonial aspects of videogames. You can find out more about me from LinkedIn and my online portfolio. Click here to view my publications.
Computer games involve a complex concept of play with very fluid boundaries. Derrida’s concept of play as outlined in his essay ‘Structure, Sign and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences’ and his notion of supplementarity is relevant to studying the relation of the play element in computer games with the narrative and technical elements. Besides the above elements, certain elements unique to the machinic narrative also need to be further analysed.I find the work of Gilles Deleuze, especially his ideas on the assemblage and virtuality, to be quite useful for explaining complex issues such as temporality, involvement and agency in videogame narratives.
Congratulations! :)
ReplyDeleteWill you post it online at some point?
Greetings from Denmark...
Thanks a lot, Anne-Mette. I am, of course, still awaiting my viva.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'll post it on my website. Will take a short break first, though :).