Overview

Understand Video Games as Works of Science Fiction and Interactive Stories Science Fiction Video Games focuses on games that are part of the science fiction genre, rather than set in magical milieux or exaggerated versions of our own world. Unlike many existing books and websites that cover some of the same material, this book emphasizes critical analysis, especially the analysis of narrative. The author analyzes narrative via an original categorization of story forms in games. He also discusses video games as works of science fiction, including their characteristic themes and the links between them and other forms of science fiction. Delve into a Collection of Science Fiction GamesThe beginning chapters explore game design and the history of science-fictional video games. The majority of the text deals with individual science-fictional games and the histories and natures of their various forms, such as the puzzle-based adventure and the more exploratory and immediate computer role-playing game (RPG).

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9781138427693

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Reviews

Neal Tringham has created an essential book that critically explores a significant breadth of video games that stand apart as proper works of science fiction. Video game and science fiction fans alike are sure to be engaged by the well-wrought narrative presented. -Bill Loguidice, Armchair Arcade, Inc. A great star ship captain once said space, the final frontier, was where no one has gone before. Well, it's certainly a place that many gamers have gone before. Indeed, science fiction is, as this book makes clear, the premier destination for games since their inception. Why science fiction worlds and narratives in games have remained so prevalent is a question worth pondering. This book will be vital reading for any and all game designers and writers interested in science fiction in games, as well as critics and students researching the connections between game design, narrative, and the literary study of science fiction. -Matt Barton, Armchair Arcade, Inc.

Author Information

Neal Tringham is a videogame developer, a former astrophysicist, and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He is also a contributing editor of and contributor to the third edition of the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction , winner of the 2012 Hugo Award for Best Related Work. He has worked on a number of games, including Aliens versus Predator, Taito Legends, and Ghost Master .

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