Bettina Bódi, a notable contributor to the discourse on video games and agency, dives into both the philosophy and practical aspects of player empowerment in gaming. She discusses her book 'Videogames and Agency', sharing insights on methodologies and the significance of the 'Summer of Agency' initiative. Topics include the interplay between design and player experience, the evolution of Naughty Dog's game mechanics, and a comparative analysis of titles like Astroneer and No Man's Sky, emphasizing how design choices impact player engagement and narrative.
The podcast explores the connection between martial arts and agency, illustrating how characters exemplify individual autonomy and self-determination in media.
Bettina Bódi's book 'Video Games and Agency' offers free access to crucial research, fostering deeper understanding of agency within game studies.
The conversation highlights the limitations of rigid typological frameworks in analyzing player experiences, advocating for a more flexible approach in scholarly discourse.
Deep dives
Exploration of Agency in Martial Arts
The discussion begins by connecting martial arts, particularly karate, with the concept of agency, suggesting that martial arts can symbolize individual autonomy and action. The hosts ponder whether characters like the Karate Kid epitomize such agency, indicating a deeper exploration of how martial arts in media convey themes of humanism and self-determination. They draw comparisons to various films featuring martial arts, such as those starring Donnie Yen, and argue that action genres, particularly fighting games, embody this sense of agency more than others. This sets the tone for analyzing how video games communicate agency to players, tying gaming experiences back to traditional narratives of individual power.
Bettina Bode's Open Access Work
The focus shifts to Bettina Bode's new book titled 'Video Games and Agency,' which is a recent dissertation released through open access, allowing readers to access it for free online. This book promises to contribute significantly to the understanding of agency within game studies and is built upon a solid academic foundation, reflecting Bode's extensive research in the field. The podcast emphasizes the practical benefits of having access to such scholarly works, encouraging listeners who are interested in these themes to explore the book. The discussion highlights how the authors plan to delve into the book's content over the course of several episodes, fostered by their enthusiasm for the topic.
Understanding the Dissertation's Role
The hosts explain the nature of dissertations as a demonstration of scholarly expertise rather than groundbreaking works, noting that they serve to establish an expert's command over a particular field. This understanding of dissertation writing helps contextualize Bode's work within game studies as it relates to agency. They contemplate the varying methodologies and content that differentiate dissertations from other academic works, as well as the pressure to display knowledge comprehensively within a limited scope. By sharing their experiences with their own dissertations, the hosts provide insights into the academic process that can enlightenment for both scholars and casual listeners.
A New Perspective on Agency in Games
Bode's book introduces an innovative approach to the concept of agency in video games, positing that agency should be understood as a product of interaction between players and the games themselves. It explores how external factors such as marketing and promotional content shape players' expectations and experiences of agency. By analyzing promotional content alongside gameplay, the book aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of how agency is constructed and perceived. This multifaceted approach allows readers to rethink traditional conceptions of agency, placing greater emphasis on the contexts within which games operate.
Typological Frameworks in Game Studies
The podcast discusses the challenges associated with typological frameworks in analyzing agency within video games, noting that rigid categories may struggle to encapsulate the diversity of player experiences. The hosts reflect on their reservations about typologies, indicating that while they provide a structured means to study games, they can also become limiting. Despite this, Bode's work employs tradition to explore various dimensions of agency, encompassing aspects like exploration, temporality, and narrative. This discussion encourages critical reflection on how such frameworks can be beneficial but also highlights the necessity of flexibility in their application.
Case Studies and Practical Applications
The case study method is presented as a means to contextualize the theoretical framework provided by Bode, focusing on how specific games embody concepts of agency in varied ways. The hosts discuss how this practical application illuminates the unique narratives and gameplay mechanics that generate distinct player experiences. They express admiration for Bode's in-depth analysis of prominent video game franchises, such as Uncharted and Mass Effect, noting how the lens of agency reveals deeper insights within these games. This evidences the value of bridging theory and practice in game studies, allowing scholars to draw meaningful connections and conclusions.
