For the following month, anyone writing or speaking about video games who uses the word “narrative” will be administered a mild electric shock to the temples. The shocks will increase in strength and duration the more times the word is used in a single thought.
“Wait!” I hear someone saying. “Denied the use of this most important of words, the entire critical framework built up around games today will be reduced to a shambles!” Well, I don’t care. You’ll just have to make do without it.
The injunction begins… now.
Comments (11)
Finally, we're free to speak exclusively of ludology!
Posted by Mitch Krpata | August 18, 2008 10:15 AM
Posted on August 18, 2008 10:15
Boy. Those of us who make our bread and butter through the analysis of video games as... you know, that word, are going to be in for a rough time of it. Would it be possible for me to receive special dispensation?
Posted by Corvus | August 18, 2008 10:41 AM
Posted on August 18, 2008 10:41
Wow, I didn’t know it was possible to make a living doing that! I may have to reconsider the whole small electric shock thing.
Posted by Matthew | August 18, 2008 4:05 PM
Posted on August 18, 2008 16:05
Well, to be honest, it's not a direct line from "explore games as... you know what" to "bringing in the Benjamins," but it is a significant portion of my career path. The actual money comes from working with clients who want someone with my skill set and passion for it. "It" being expressing games as... you know.
Posted by Corvus | August 19, 2008 5:29 AM
Posted on August 19, 2008 05:29
I have had decent luck with the term “story” in its place, gauche as that word may be right now.
P.S. Obviously this post is about a silly pet peeve of mine – imitative overuse of a fancier synonym where the simpler word will do by people attempting to overreach in their writing – and isn’t intended to be very serious. You know that, of course, but I’ll say it for good measure.
P.P.S. It looks like Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot has just experienced a couple of mild shocks for his review of Too Human! I’m so easily amused.
Posted by Matthew | August 19, 2008 8:21 AM
Posted on August 19, 2008 08:21
No worries, I figured you were being tongue in cheek. Hence all the references to... you know.
The Too Human drama is cracking me up.
Posted by Corvus | August 19, 2008 1:31 PM
Posted on August 19, 2008 13:31
To the man who posted as "Praetor Judas": I didn't approve your initial comment. If you wish to start a fight here, please do so the right way. Thanks.
Posted by Matthew | August 20, 2008 10:03 PM
Posted on August 20, 2008 22:03
But if I use 'fiction' instead, Jesper Juul will have finally won!
Posted by Daniel | August 22, 2008 2:14 AM
Posted on August 22, 2008 02:14
You're too lenient, Matthew. Just one word? Bah! You must be tough! Don't stop there; "narrative" is not even the worst offender.
I say we should ban "cool", "awesome", "innovative", and especially, MOST especially, that word "immersive". You don't know how much I hate seeing that one pop up everywhere. It's so over-used, I'm beginning to think the word has lost its meaning.
Posted by Scorpia | August 22, 2008 12:21 PM
Posted on August 22, 2008 12:21
Narrative is awesome!
But seriously: ban people using words when they don't actually know what they mean.
Posted by Rossignol | August 23, 2008 2:10 AM
Posted on August 23, 2008 02:10
How about "grassroots narrative?" ;-)
Posted by Pat | October 11, 2008 1:07 AM
Posted on October 11, 2008 01:07