Proscribed Word of the Month: Narrative

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

[Mitch Krpata]

Finally, we're free to speak exclusively of ludology!

[Corvus]

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?

[Matthew]

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.

[Corvus]

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.

[Matthew]

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.

[Corvus]

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.

[Matthew]

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.

[Daniel]

But if I use 'fiction' instead, Jesper Juul will have finally won!

[Scorpia]

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.

[Rossignol]

Narrative is awesome!

But seriously: ban people using words when they don't actually know what they mean.

[Pat]

How about "grassroots narrative?" ;-)