Peggy: "Pick for me these objects three..."
Part 1: Pick 3 objects
a) Something significant from your childhood, something important to you - a toy, a talisman a memento.
I chose Lord of the Rings, still my favorite book (or series of books, if you must).
b) An inspiration - a quote, a song, a book, a lyric, a piece of art, an experience, a philosopher, a scientist, just ONE.
I chose Legend of Zelda, the original for NES.
c) Something you've done or pursued on your own initiative (scholarly
or otherwise) that is deeply interesting/satisfying to you.
I chose Guy vs. Girl, a quick game I made during my undergraduate studies.
Part 2: Questions
a) Why this item is interesting/meaningful/important to you (or universally)?
Lord of the Rings: This book sparked my imagination in a way that few books did, and it was the first fictional world that I really remember falling in love with. It was also the first book I read that had a deep emotional impact on me, so much that I was upset when completing it. The themes of brotherly love, honor, sacrifice, etc. were presented in an amazing world that was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. The books captivated me so entirely that I couldn’t stop thinking about them until long after I had finished them. The ability for a work of art to completely absorb and captivate the audience at that moment seemed very powerful to me, and it was an ability I wanted to explore further.
Legend of Zelda: This was much like Lord of the Rings, but in game form. It was the first game I became so engaged in that I found it difficult to sleep. Stepping into each dungeon filled me with excitement and tension, and the images on screen filled me with a sense of wonder. I wanted to explore every inch of the game, to learn all of its secrets. Looking back on this paragraph now it seems almost sexual, but I guess it was this game that really revealed my passion for videogames.
Guy vs. Girl: This was a project that I completed in three days, heading up to the “deadline” for Valentine’s Day. It’s meaningful to me because for one, it proved to myself that if I was determined enough, I could actually create something in a short amount of time. Furthermore, it proved to me that although my work was not perfect, I could still be pleased with the end result. I think the project itself is interesting because it says a lot about me. It’s got a cynical sense of humor to it but also an irreverent style, and I couldn’t help but include what amounts to videogame fan-service into the game. Recognizing what each part of the game is referencing becomes a little game by itself.
b) What are the issues, concerns, principles, processes or attributes
that surround each item?
Lord of the Rings: Deals with a range of topics, from personal sacrifice to the nature of humanity. Always suggested is a sort of greater purpose, such as a destiny. The book contrasts a large, rich environment with a deeply personal look at the characters. Obviously the core of the story is fantasy.
Legend of Zelda: One of the key principles of the game is that exploration and curiosity is rewarded, and simultaneously courage is valuable. Overcoming obstacles feels like a personal triumph.
Guy vs. Girl: A cynical yet humorous piece that makes a social statement while still being enjoyable. Even if you haven’t been in the exact situation yourself, the scenario is universal enough to the point where everyone can empathize with it.
c) How is each item relevant: socially, technically, politically, phenomenologically?
Lord of the Rings: This is the book that practically defined high-fantasy for the generations to come. Nearly every work of fantasy in recent times, including that of the Legend of Zelda, probably owes part of its inspiration to these books. The basic good vs. evil struggle is universal to the point where the story is truly timeless.
Legend of Zelda: Still a must-play title for any aspiring game designer. The structure and lessons taught by this game’s design are valuable to this day. It was also one of the first truly epic videogames, one that insisted you play for months instead of in a day or two. It was also one of, if not the first console games to be backed up by a battery save, allowing for the aforementioned months of gameplay.
Guy vs. Girl: The statement is that Valentine’s Day is a sham and that any relationship that requires gift-giving to maintain happiness or even a neutral level of peace is doomed. Technically it’s very outdated.
d) What do you not know about the item, and would like to investigate?
Lord of the Rings: There is still some back-story I am not familiar with, such as what can be found in The Silmarillion. I’d also like to know more about Tolkien’s writing methods and the amount of time taken to develop the world of Middle-earth.
Legend of Zelda: I’d like to know more about the development process as well as more of Shigeru Miyamoto’s inspiration for the title.
Guy vs. Girl: I suppose I’d like some feedback on the game. I never really shared it with people, so seeing what people thought of it after playing would be interesting.
Part 3: Step Back
a) Look at your three items as a whole and see if you can discover
similarities (literal or abstract), are there intersections?
All of these items use fantasy as a method of conveying a message. All of them are designed to entertain, and work as a means of communication between the author/designer and the player. They invite the user to let their imagination run wild. The Lord of the Rings and Legend of Zelda especially are connected in their use of a fantasy world and medieval setting, as well as the creation of a vast, rich, and inviting world as a setting for their adventures.
All of the items feature the protagonist striving on heroically in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Each represents a journey with a lot of personal meaning for both the characters as well as the audience. Also, they all feature at least one monster.
b) Does your analysis suggest an area of interest, or (series of) questions?
The clear suggestion is that I am interested in fantasy and using imaginative worlds to capture my audience. I do wonder if I am too engaged in fantasy worlds, however, and what would happen if I tried to make something in a more realistic setting. I do realize that I feel less interested if the subject in question is a real-world or “mundane” piece.