Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/interactive-media-gaming
Are you a gamer who’s ever wondered about the deeper narrative structures behind your favorite virtual worlds? Or perhaps a literature enthusiast curious about how classic stories are being re-imagined in interactive digital spaces? If so, Coursera’s ‘Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative’ course is an absolute must-take.
This course, designed with the rigor of a university-level English literature class, offers a fascinating exploration of how stories, visual art, and films transform when they become the foundation for massively multiplayer online games (MMOs). Using J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy – across its novels, films, and the video game adaptation ‘The Lord of the Rings Online’ (LOTRO) – as a central case study, the course delves into the concept of ‘remediation.’ This theoretical framework helps us understand how familiar narratives evolve and adapt as they cross different media.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, beginning with an introduction to gaming culture and history, and then diving straight into the core concepts. We explore game theory, including Jesper Juul’s insights on rules and game design, and examine games as journeys, drawing parallels with Constantine Cavafy’s poem ‘Ithaca.’
What truly elevates this course is its ability to bridge the gap between seemingly disparate disciplines. We analyze storytelling modes, the role of quests in both games and literature, and even delve into romance and lyric literature with works by Robert Browning and John Keats. The comparison of scenes from Tolkien’s novel, Peter Jackson’s film, and LOTRO provides a tangible understanding of how narrative elements are translated and transformed.
The course also tackles the crucial aspects of space and time in storytelling across different media, discussing how directors, authors, and game developers manipulate these dimensions. The examination of Edmund Spenser’s epic poem ‘The Faerie Queene’ and its subsequent remediation in a student-created video game is particularly illuminating, showcasing the enduring power of classic narratives.
Finally, the course addresses the often-overlooked aspect of narrative ‘endings’ in games, reflecting on how Tolkien concludes his epic and the challenges game developers face in creating satisfying end-game content. The journey concludes with a contemplation of what comes after the end, inspired by Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s ‘Ulysses.’
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer looking to critically engage with your passion or a literature student eager to explore new narrative frontiers, ‘Online Games: Literature, New Media, and Narrative’ offers a rich, intellectually stimulating, and highly relevant learning experience. It’s a course that will undoubtedly change the way you look at both games and stories.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/interactive-media-gaming