Focalization in 3D Video Games.pdf

Focalization in 3D Video Games Michael Nitsche Georgia Institute of Technology 686 Cherry St Atlanta, GA 30332-0165 ++1 404 8947000 michael.nitsche@ ABSTRACT that ‘if I throw a ball at you, I don’t expect you to drop it This paper investigates Bal’s concept of focalization for and wait until it starts telling stories’ [8] reaches too far. 3D video games. First, the argument traces focalization in In contrast to board games or physical games, video the historical development of camera strategies in 3D games present us not with a ball but a moving video video games. It highlights the detachment of the camera image of one. The ball in Pong (Nolan Bushnell for Atari/ into an own interactive operator. Then, it exemplifies the Atari, USA 1972) as well as in MVP Baseball 2005 visual focalization in video games using two case studies. (Brent Nielsen for EA/ EA, USA 2005) is “shown” from In the following, it looks at possible problems and effects a certain perspective and in a certain context. That is why of focalization. The argument concludes that dynamic focalization is important for games. focalization allows video games to apply narrative A narrative situation is at work in the presentation of the guidance without the linearity of a “telling” voice. ball. The level of its complexity might vary and the narrative situation might be dwarfed next to other more dominant factors during the gameplay (e.g. in Pong), but Keywords it is an essential part of the way especially 3D v