Visual Novel Games: A New Route to the Humanities
Abstract
In the humanities, there is a focus on logocentrism, which creates a reluctance in studying video games. As Coltrain and Ramsay have noted, scholars believe video games have no place in the humanities because they are not seen as able to convey interpretations of literature or history. However, I believe video games, specifically visual novel games, can be a great connection for literature. Visual novel games have great visual storytelling that allow people to actively participate while reading closely to the game’s text, whether or not they’re gamers. I will analyze two visual novel games, Ace Attorney and 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors, in order to illustrate how the use of choices let people enjoy and interpret the games’ stories. Visual novel games let the player closely read and allow for their own interpretations to the story, just like in literature. This genre of games can help literature become more approachable to students and highlight how people enjoy choices and interactivity.
Visual Novel Games: A New Route to the Humanities
CNS E101 2.4 Heroes and New Genres: Written and Visual Storytelling
In the humanities, there is a focus on logocentrism, which creates a reluctance in studying video games. As Coltrain and Ramsay have noted, scholars believe video games have no place in the humanities because they are not seen as able to convey interpretations of literature or history. However, I believe video games, specifically visual novel games, can be a great connection for literature. Visual novel games have great visual storytelling that allow people to actively participate while reading closely to the game’s text, whether or not they’re gamers. I will analyze two visual novel games, Ace Attorney and 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors, in order to illustrate how the use of choices let people enjoy and interpret the games’ stories. Visual novel games let the player closely read and allow for their own interpretations to the story, just like in literature. This genre of games can help literature become more approachable to students and highlight how people enjoy choices and interactivity.