Ambiguity and Abstraction as tools to foster interpretation of video game narratives
Berger, Sina (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120231706
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120231706
Tiivistelmä
This thesis examines the presence and significance of abstraction in video game narratives, a practice where aesthetics, story and player experience are closely interconnected. Abstraction has been previously employed in video game development, yet its relation to ambiguous storytelling and its impact on player engagement remain largely undocumented.
To accomplish this, a theoretical framework was established through qualitative methods discussing ambiguity and abstraction within visual media, video game design, as well as the factors that foster interpretation and engagement. Detailed case studies of Hyper Light Drifter and Lucah: Born of a Dream investigate the adaptable use of ambiguity and abstraction across narrative themes, environmental storytelling and textual design, as well as present a comparative analysis to identify the key elements—curiosity, recognition and context—that most strongly shape player interpretation and engagement.
The findings suggest that the use of ambiguity, supported by practical implementations of abstraction, provides a versatile tool to foster narrative interpretation, imagination and emotional engagement. This study seeks to highlight the potential of ambiguous and unconventional narrative design, and its impact on player interaction with storytelling.
To accomplish this, a theoretical framework was established through qualitative methods discussing ambiguity and abstraction within visual media, video game design, as well as the factors that foster interpretation and engagement. Detailed case studies of Hyper Light Drifter and Lucah: Born of a Dream investigate the adaptable use of ambiguity and abstraction across narrative themes, environmental storytelling and textual design, as well as present a comparative analysis to identify the key elements—curiosity, recognition and context—that most strongly shape player interpretation and engagement.
The findings suggest that the use of ambiguity, supported by practical implementations of abstraction, provides a versatile tool to foster narrative interpretation, imagination and emotional engagement. This study seeks to highlight the potential of ambiguous and unconventional narrative design, and its impact on player interaction with storytelling.