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A game called Paako: the challenge of an autobiographical video game

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A game called Paako: the challenge of an autobiographical video game

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Content A G a m e C a lle d P a a k o :
T h e c h a lle n ge o f a n au t obi og r a phic a l vide o ga me
b y
C ha o r a n H u a ng
A T he s i s P r es en t ed t o t h e
A F A C U L T Y O F T H E US C S CH O O L O F C IN EM A T IC AR T S
U N I V ER S IT Y OF S O U TH ER N C A L IF O R N IA
In P a rt i al F u lfi llm e n t o f t he
R e q u ir e me n ts f o r t he Deg r e e
M A S T ER O F F IN E AR T S
( IN T ER A CT IVE ME DIA )
M a y 2 02 3
C o p y r i g h t 20 23 Cha o r a n Hu a n g
A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s
F i r s t , t o m y pa r e n t s , th a n k y o u f o r su ppo rt in g m e fina ncia l l y a nd e m o t i on a l ly a ll
t h e s e y e a r s , e s p e c ia l l y m y m o t h er w ho , e v e n tho ug h h ol ding doub t s w it h vide o
g a m e s a t fi r s t , s ti l l r e s p ec ts m e a n d enc our a ges me i n m y p u rs u it no m a t te r w ha t.
T h a n k y o u .
T o m y a d v is or s a n d th e s is m en t or s J es se V i gi l, Andy N e ale n, M a t t K o rba , La i r d
M a la m e d a nd M a r tz i C a m p o s , t h a n k y o u f o r k eep ing m e c o n fiden t in wha t I ’ m do in g
a n d p r o v i d in g a ll th e ne c es s a r y s up po rt . Sh out o u t to Ma u r e en Y e ager f or ma king
m e a b e t te r s t o r y te l l er . A l s o s h ou t ou t t o a ll the pr o f es so r s a nd te a c her s I ’v e
le a r n e d f r o m a t U S C , a n d t h e f r ie n d s I m e t her e , jus t t o o man y .
T o m y g i r l S t a c y X u , t h a n k y o u f o r a lw a y s bei ng t her e a nd li s t e ning to me. L o v e y ou.
F i n a lly , t o a l l t h e g r e a t in d ie g a m e s t ha t e v er e x i s t a nd t he ir c r e a t o rs , t ha n k y o u f or
k e e p i ng m e i n s p ir e d , m o tiv a t e d a nd a mbi t iou s . Indi e g a me s f o r l if e .
ii
T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s
A c k n o w le d g m e n t s . . ... . ... . ... . ... . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ......................... ii
L is t o f F i g u r es .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ....................... iv
A b s t r a c t ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . ....................... v
C h a p t e r O n e: I n t r od u c t i o n . .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. .................... . . . . . . . 1
1. 1 O v e r v ie w o f M e ta g a m e / Me t a fi c t io na l G am es .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ......................... 1
1. 2 T h e s i s S t a te m e n t .. .. . .. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ......................... 2
1. 3 S t or y O u tlin e o f A G am e Ca l led P a a k o . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. .................. . ......2
C h a p t e r T w o: T h e P a r a llel C h alle n g e.. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ....................... 4
2 . 1 F a c t B a s e d N a rr a tiv e . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . ... . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ......................... 4
2. 1 . 1 S t or y A d a p ta ti o n, S t ru ct ur e a nd W ri t ing . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . ................... . . . . . 5
2. 1 .2 C h a r a c te r s . . ... . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ........................ 7
2. 1 .3 Do ub l e C o n t e x t s. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . ................... . . . . . 8
2 . 2 G a m if y ing t h e N a r r a t iv e . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .......................... 9
2. 2. 1 G en e r a l M e th o do lo gy o f Me t a ga me s. .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. .................... . . . . . . 9
2. 2. 2 R e a l W o r ld Co n ce p t . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ........................ 11
2. 2. 3 P a r a l l el E o r t. .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . .. ................... . . . . . 1 1
2. 2. 4 Di e r e n t E nd in gs. . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. ................... . . . . 12
2. 2. 5 In p u t S e pa r a t io n. .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ........................ 13
C h a p t e r T h r e e: T h e R ec u r s i v e Ch al le n g e. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ...................... 15
3 . 1 A d a p ta t io n( M o v ie ). . ... . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. ................... . . . . . 1 5
3 . 2 P r e d ic t a n d F ill L a t er . . . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. .................. . . . . . 1 6
C h a p t e r F o u r: C o n c l u s i o n .. . ... . ... . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ....................... 1 9
B i b lio g r a ph y .. . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ......................20
i ii
L i s t o f F i g u r e s
F i g . 1 . S i m i l a r ity b e t w e e n T h e H e r o ’ s J our ne y a n d A GC P’ s pr o duc ti on . .................... . . . . 5
F i g . 2 . U p s a nd d o w ns gr a p h o f the s to r y o f A GCP. .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . .........................5
F i g . 3 . T h e tr a c k o f th o u g h t o f w r it in g f or A GCP .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ........................ 6
F i g . 4 . T h e s e lf - a w a r e c h a r a c t e r P a a k o . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . ................... . . . . . 7
F i g . 5 . C h a r a c te r s ’ r e la t io ns h i p in A G CP. . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ........................ 8
F i g . 6 . R o le m e t a p h o r s in d i er e n t co n t e x t . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . .................. . . . . . . 9
F i g . 7 . F lo w e y e x p la i n ing “S a v e ” abi li t y i n t he w o r ld o f U nd ertal e . . .. . . . .. . .. ....................... 11
F i g . 8 . T h e “M ind m a p ” i m it a t io n in A G CP.. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . ........................ 11
F i g . 9 . T h e “In te r v ie w ” S c e n e in A GCP .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. ..................... . . . 1 2
F i g . 1 0 . C h a r t o f d i e r e n t e n d ing s . . .. .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . .................. . . . . 1 3
F i g . 1 1. T h e tr a c k o f th o u g h t f or t he p a r a lle l c ha l len ge . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. ....................... 1 4
F i g . 1 2 . C h a r l i e K a uf m a n (b y N ic o las Ca ge ) sp ea k ing to a tap e r e co r der . ................... . . . 1 6
F i g . 1 3 . G a m e c o n te n t pr e d ic t ed a t di er e n t ti m es t a m p . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . .................. . . . . 1 7
iv
A b s t r a c t
I n t h e 2 0 20 s , m e t a fic tio n a l vi deo ga m es , or m e taga m e s, a r e no l on ge r n e w to
t h e m a s s a u d ie n c e . F r o m c la s s ic s l ik e T h e St a nle y P a r a bl e ( 20 13 ) an d Under ta l e
( 2 0 15 ) to ne w o ne s lik e T h e r e Is No G am e : W r on g Di m en si on ( 20 20 ) a n d I n s c ry p t ion
( 2 0 2 1) , i nd ie d e v e lo p e r s h a v e po p u la r iz e d thi s ge nr e o f ga m es - abo ut - ga m es . But
s t i ll, f e w o f t h e m a r e g a m es a b ou t t h e m se lv es , a nd ne a rl y no ne o f t he m i s
d o c u m e n t ing th e ir c r e a t io n p r o c es s . A G a m e Ca l l ed P a a k o , m y i n t e r a c ti v e m edi a
m a s t e r ’ s t h e s is , p o s e s a c h a lle ng e t o de s i gn a r ea s on ably r e cu rs i v e m e ta ga me b y
t e lli n g t h e s to r y o f i ts o w n c r e a t io n p r oc es s f r om t he to p t o the e nd, the r e f or e fill in g
t h e g a p i n t h e c u rr e n t d i s c o u r s e and the s t a t e o f t he art .
v
C h a p t e r O n e : I n t r o d u c t i on
1 . 1 O v e r v i e w o f M e t a g a m e / M e t a fi c t i o n a l G a m e s
M e ta fi c t i o n is a t y p e o f fi c tio n t h a t c o ns tan t ly r em i nds t he r e ade r t ha t the y a r e
r e a d i ng a w o r k o f fi c tio n . S im ila r l y , me t a ga m es ar e vi deo ga m e s t ha t br e a k
i m m e r s i o n b y d r a w ing a t t en t i o n t o th e m edi u m it se lf r a t her t han t he co n te n t i t
p r e s e n t s . W h ile m e t a m o m e n t s i n vide o ga me s ha v e e x i s t ed f o r a l ong t im e, s uch as
w h e n a c h a r a c t er a d d r e s s e s “th e ga m e ” or “ the pla y e r” di r ect l y , t he y w e r e m os tly
u s e d f o r h u m or o r s u r pr i s e . It w a s n 't u n t il the 20 10 s t ha t vide o g a m es be ga n to fully
u t i li z e t h e p o te n tia l o f m e t a .
T h e S t a nl e y P a r a b l e , p u b lis h e d b y Ga la c t ic Ca f é in 20 13 , w a s o ne o f t h e firs t vi de o
g a m e s t o f e a t ur e “ m e t a ” a s a c e n t r a l e lem e n t . T he S ta nle y P arable w a s f a mou s f or
s u b v e r t i n g p l a y e r s ' e x p e c t a tio n s a nd m oc ki ng t hei r us u a l t hi nk ing p a tte rn s in vide o
g a m e s . It w a s a ls o a b le t o r a is e t ho ugh t -pr o v o k ing q u es t ion s a nd c r i t iq ue the
n a t u r e o f vi d eo g a m es .
A s a r e s u lt , s e lf - r e f e r e n t ia l ga m e s h a v e s p a r k ed e x te ns i v e disc u s s i on w it hin the
c o m m u n i ty a n d e n c o u r a g e d m o r e o ut s t andi ng w o rk s l ik e U nd ertal e ( 2 0 1 5 ), O n e S h o t
( 2 0 16 ) , I c e y ( 2 0 16 ) , Do k i Do k i Lit e ratu r e Cl u b! ( 2 0 1 7) , T he r e Is No G am e: W r o n g
D im e n s io n ( 2 0 20 ), I ns c r y p ti o n ( 2 0 21) . T h e l is t go es o n a nd t he y a r e g en er a lly
r e f e r r e d t o a s “ m e ta g a m e s ” .
1
1 . 2 T h e s i s S t a t e m e n t
T o d a y , m e ta g a m e s / m e t a fi c tio n a l g a me s ar e c o m mo np l a c e, w it h m or e o f t hem
a v a i la b le to pl a y e r s th a n e v e r b e f o r e. Ho w e v e r , o nly a han dful o f t he se ga m e s truly
d e lv e i n to , if n o t m a ki ng u p , th e i r o w n de v el op me n t p r oce s s i n a s er iou s m a n n e r .
E v e n w h e n th e y d o , t h e y o f t e n o n ly h ighli gh t a p a rt ic ul a r a sp ec t o f t h e pr o c es s t o
s e r v e t h e la r g e r na r r a t iv e .
A G a m e C a l le d Pa a k o ( A G C P) , m y a t te mp t to fi ll t he o pe n spo t o n t he s pec t r um, is
a n a u t o b i o g r a p h ic a l v id e o ga m e t ha t e x p lo r es it s de v elo pm en t pr o ces s fr om s tart
t o fi ni s h , w h ile us ing t h e m e d iu m it se l f to e x a m in e t he p r odu ct io n o f t his me dium .
F u r t h e r m o r e, A G C P i s u n iqu e in it s s pec i fi c c on t e x t , te ll in g t he s t or y o f a
g a m e - m a jo r s tu d en t w h o h a s o ne f oo t in t he i ndu s t ry a n d t he o t he r in c ol lege ,
t r y i ng t o n a v iga te h i s d r e a m s a n d th e ha rs h r e a l it y o f the in dus tr y . T h i s r a r e s e tting
a lr e a d y s e ts it a p a r t f r o m o th e r ga m es in the ge nr e.
1 . 3 S t o r y O u t l i n e o f A G a m e C a l l e d P a a k o
T h e g a m e is d em o n s t r a te d a c t b y a c t t o p r o vide c o n t e x t f or fu r the r di s c us si o n s:
● A c t 1 : “ J u s t A n o t h e r P l a t f o rm e r” : T h e ga m e be gins w i t h Cha o r a n a s king the
p la y e r to te s t h is r o u g h ly - ma de dem o . L a t er , t he p la y e r is t r a ns p o r t e d to
C h a o r a n ' s m a s te r th e s i s p it ch, w he r e h e sh o w c a s es P a a k o , a p ix el- a r t 2D
p la tf o r m e r g a m e .
2
● A c t 2 : “ M e t a g a m e s H a v e D one It A l l” : D ur in g a br a i ns t or mi ng s es s i on f or
P a a k o , t h e p la y er is e x p o s e d to f ou r di s t in ct c o nce p t s, f o ll o w e d b y a s tr a n ge
a m a lg a m a tio n o f t h e m . H o w e v e r , Ch a or a n s oon ac k n o w le dge s tha t mos t o f
t h e s e id e a s h a v e b e e n d o ne be f or e a nd dis c a r ds t hem i n to a n " i dea
g r a v e y a r d . " I t is th e n t h a t he r e al iz e s t he po t en t ia l in t ur nin g th e ga me ' s
d e v e lo p m e n t p r o c e s s i n to t he n ar r a t iv e.
● A c t 3 : “ D r ea m M e e t s R e a lit y” : A f t er a r ecr u it m en t p it ch, Cha o r a n ' s a dvis o rs
p r a is e h is ne w id e a a nd o e r a dvic e f o r i ts de v elo pm en t . T h e p la y e r le a rn s
a b o u t C h a o r a n ' s pa s t w o r k s duri ng a ta l k s ho w hos t ed b y P a a k o , a n d r ea liz e s
t h a t n o ne o f t h e m h e lp e d h im s ec u r e a jo b . R e fle c t in g o n Cha or a n ' s j our ne y
a s a g a m e d e s ig ne r , h e d e c ide s t o s t op be in g in deci s iv e a nd c ommit s to
fi ni s h i ng P a a k o .
● A c t 4 : “ Du lln es s a nd P e r s e v er a n ce ” : T he pla y e r na viga t es t he v a r i ous
a s p e c ts o f g a m e d e v el op me n t , f r o m en gi ne er in g t o n a rr a t i v e , a rt , a n d a udio ,
e x p e r ie n c ing th e m u n d a n e na t ur e o f vide o ga me de v e lo p m e n t . T h e p la y e r
a ls o w it ne s s es C h a o r a n ' s e s c a p e fr om t he p r es su r e t hr ou gh p l a y in g sh oo t e r
g a m es . F in a lly , th e p la y e r e x per i enc es t he la s t s ta ge s o f g a me pr o duc ti on ,
s u c h a s p la y te s tin g , r u s h in g f or a be t a v er s io n, a nd t he h y p o t h e tic a l r e leas e
o f t h e ga m e .
● ( A c t 5 : “ A f t e r R e le a s e ”) : T he e p i lo gu e o f A G CP a f t er it i s p u bli s hed. T hi s
c h a p te r is pl a nn e d a s a b o n us c o n t en t a nd i s mo r e t h a n l ik e l y to be c a n c e l e d.
I t ’ s o nly lis t e d h er e f o r d is cu ss ion p urp os es i n t hi s p a per .
3
C h a p t e r T w o : T h e P a r al l el C ha l le n g e
T h e p r i m a r y c h a l l e ng e o f A G C P is t o ba la n ce t he h one s t de p i c t io n o f t he ga me ' s
d e v e lo p m e n t p r o c e s s w i th m a in ta in ing a w el l-s tr uc tu r e d n ar r a t iv e a nd e n j o y a ble
g a m e p la y . T o a c h i e v e t h is , th e g a m e ' s se qu enc e i s des igne d t o me e t t hr ee c ri te ria:
● F a c t - w i s e : T h e g a m e m u s t pr o vide a n hon es t p ort r a y a l o f t he de v e l opme n t
p r o c es s , i n c lu d in g id e a t i o n, p r o t o typ ing , p r es en t a t io ns , a nd de v el op m e n t, as
w e ll a s a n y r e le v a n t a n e c d o t es .
● S t o r y - w is e : T h e g a m e m u s t ha v e a w e ll -cr a f te d na rr a t i v e s t ru c tur e , w h i c h
t y p ic a lly inc l u d es a n e x p o si ti on , pr og r e ss i v e ly bu i ldi ng c o n fl i c ts , a c li ma x,
a n d a r e s o lu tio n .
● G a m e - w i s e : T h e g a m e m us t m a in ta i n a goo d pa c e, w i th a tu t ori a l to
i n t r o d uc e m e c h a n ic s , g r a du a lly in cr e as i ng cha l len ge s , mo m en t s o f r e s t, an d
a fi n a l, c h a lle n g i n g s eg m e n t .
2 . 1 F a c t B a s e d N a r r a t i v e
O n c e I c o nc ei v e d th e id e a f o r A G C P , I r eal iz ed it s mo s t v a l ua bl e t r a i t w a s ho n e s t y .
T h e r e f o r e , I p r io r iti z e d t h e F a c t - w is e cri t er io n f r o m t he s ta r t , w hi c h in v ol v e d r e l yi ng
o n t h e r e a lity o f th e d e v e lo p m e n t p r oc es s t o di c ta te the nar r a ti v e ' s c on ten t. A ll tha t
w a s le f t w a s to fi g u r e o u t h o w to t r a ns f o r m it in t o a co m pe l li ng s t or y and ma k e
s e n s e o f t h e c h a r a c t e r s .
4
2 . 1 . 1 S t or y A d a p ta tio n , S t ru c tu r e a nd W riting
F e w p e o p le h a v e w r i t t en a b o u t g a m e de v elo pm en t , le t a lo ne g a m ifie d t he pr oc e ss .
B u t I b e li e v e a n y o n e in a n y s t o r y c oul d be c om e a h e r o . I e x a mi ned t he H er o ' s
J o u r n e y a n d a d a p t e d i t t o a g a m e d es ign er ’ s s t o ry , as s h o w n in Fi g . 1 .
F i g . 1. S im ila r it y b e tw e en T h e H er o ’ s J our ne y a n d A G CP ’ s p r od u c t io n
T h o u g h n o t a p e r f e c t m a tc h , it p r o vi ded a f r a m e w o rk t h a t I c o u ld a da p t to fit this
s t o r y . U s i n g th is s tr u c t u r e a s a gu ide , I pl o tt ed the s t o ry ' s high s a nd lo w s , a s
d e p i c t e d i n F i g. 2, t o en s u r e t h a t I co ul d m a in ta i n t ensi o n t hr ou ghou t .
F ig .2. U p s a n d do w ns gr a p h o f t he s t or y o f A G CP
5
I n F i g .3 , I o u t l i ne h o w I a p p r o a c h e d c h a r a c te r an d c on flic t de v elo pm e n t w hen
w r i t i n g f o r th e g a m e . I n te r e s ting ly , w ri t ing an e x p er ie nce - ba s ed s t ory pr o v ed to be
e a s i e r t h a n c r a f ting fi c tio n . I ne v er ha d t o s pec u la t e on h o w t he cha r a c ter w oul d
r e s p o n d i n a g iv e n s c e n a r io . A nd po t en t ia l co n fli c t s w er e de ri v ed f r om m y o w n
p e r s o n a l s tr u g g le s a nd c h a lle n ge s , w hic h w a s a pos it iv e a s p e c t o f ba si n g t he s tory
o n a c t u a l e v e n ts .
F ig .3 . T h e t r a c k o f tho ug h t o f w ri t ing f or A GCP
U s i n g t h e s e gu id e lin e s , A G C P is di v i ded in to 4 ac t s ( s ee S ec t i on 1. 3 ) t h a t
c o r r e s p o nd to th e a c t u a l s ta ge s o f ga me de v e lo p m e n t . W hil e s om e o f t hes e s tage s
w e r e s t i ll s pe c u la tiv e a t t h is p oi n t, I w i ll e x pl a in h o w I appr o ac hed thes e u n kn o wn
f u t u r e s t e ps in C h a p te r 3.
6
2 . 1 . 2 C h a r a ct er s
T h e s t o r y o n ly in v o lv e s th r e e c h a r a c t e rs: P a a k o ( t he c r e a t io n ), Ch a or a n ( the
c r e a to r ) , a nd th e p l a y e r . H en c e , th e ir r e la ti o nship i s c ruc i a l in de t er mi ni n g ho w t he
s t o r y m o v e s f o r w a r d .
F ig . 4 . T h e s elf - a w a r e c ha r a c t er P a a k o
● P la y e r a nd P a a k o : P a a k o , l i k e o the r s elf - a w a r e c ha r a c t er s in m e ta ga me s, is
n o t t h e p la y e r' s a v a t a r b u t r a t her a c om p a nio n, tho ug h t he pl a y er s ti ll h a s
c o n tr o l o v e r it . A d e s ign d ec is i on to e a se thi s c on t r a dic t i on w i ll be e la bo r a ted
o n in s e c tio n 2. 2. 5 .
● P la y e r a nd C h a o r a n: In A G C P, s in ce the pla y e r t ak e s p a r t in cr e a ti n g thi s
g a m e, th e p la y e r in f a c t a s su me s t he r ol e o f Cha o r a n p a r ti all y , a lbei t
i m p lic i tly . G a m e d e s i gn e r s i t er a te t hei r de s i gn ba s e d o n t hei r o w n
e x p e r ie n c e s a s a p la y e r . S o in A G CP , t he pl a y er is es se n ti a ll y p l a y ing a s
C h a o r a n ' s " pla y e r s el f " w h o is h elp ing h i m des ign the ga m e. T h i s a li gn s wit h
t h e p la y e r ' s r e s t r ic t e d s el ec t io n o f w o r ds, w hic h i s pr ede t er m in e d b y
C h a o r a n.
● P a a k o a nd C h a o r a n : P a a k o , t h e ga me w i th c o nsc i o us ne ss , c a n be s ee n a s a
c h i ld r a is e d b y C h a o r a n , w ho ha s o v e rl y h igh e x p e c ta ti o ns a n d r egr e ts
7
c r e a tin g it. T h e r e la tio n s h ip be t w e e n P a a k o a nd Ch a o r a n m a y e v ok e
s y m p a t h y a s th e r e a r e m a n y s to r ie s abou t r e bel li ou s t ee na ge rs r e su lt i n g
f r o m p oo r p a r en t i n g .
F i g . 5 . Ch a r a c t er s ’ r el a t i ons h i p i n A G CP
2 . 1 . 3 D o u ble C o n t e x ts
T h e na r r a tiv e o f A G C P r e v o lv e s a r o un d t h e g a m e bei ng de v el op ed, but in r ea l it y , t h e
g a m e i s a lr e a d y c o m p le te w h e n t he p la y e r p l a y s it . T h is p r e sen t s tw o di s ti n c t
c o n te x ts : t h e in- d e v e lo p m e n t c o n t e x t a nd t h e p os t -de v e l opm en t c o n te x t, w hi ch
a llo w s f o r t h e p la y e r to b e p u lle d in and o u t o f t he ga m e ' s m a gic c i r cle - a n ec e ss ary
e x p e r i e n c e i n a m e t a g a m e.
W h i le th e in- d e v e l o pm e n t c on t e x t i s a de q u a t e ly em ph a si z ed t h r ou gh the s to ry , the
i n t r o d u c ti o n o f th e "N a r r a to r " c h ar ac t er pr o vi des a hin t a t the po s t -de v elo pmen t
c o n te x t, a s h e a l r e a d y kn o w s h o w e v er y t hin g en ds. A n d in f u rt her pl a n f o r A c t 5 ,
t h e g a m e w ill f u lly s w itc h to P o s t -de v e l opm en t c o n t e x t , w i t h th e N a r r a to r r e v eale d
t o b e t h e c u r r e n t - t i m e Ch a or a n , t alk i ng t o the pla y e r i n t im a t ely as a de v e l oper . T h e
o r i g i na l “ C h a o r a n ” r e m a ins a fic tio n a l c h a r a c te r w it hi n t he ga m e .
8
F i g . 6 s h o w s w h a t t h e s e f o u r c h a r ac t er s s t a nd f o r i n t he tw o c o n t e x t s .
F i g . 6 . R o le m e t a pho rs i n di er en t co n t e x t
2 . 2 G a m i f y i n g t h e N a r r a t i v e
A f t e r c o ns i d er i n g t h e p o in ts o u tlin e d in se c t io n 2. 1, I ha v e e ec t iv e l y c o m bined t h e
F a c t - w i s e a n d S to r y - w is e c r ite r ia, l e a vi ng o nly t he t a sk o f me r gin g t h e s tor y w it h
t h e G a m e - w i s e c r i t e r ia . W h i l e th i s i s a s ta n dar d t a sk i n ga m e dir ec ti on , it ma y s t i ll
r e q u i r e s o m e s p ec ia l a t t en t i o n i n o ur c a s e . T h e r e f or e, it is i mp o rt an t t o e x a m i n e
p r e v i o u s m e t a g a m e s .
2 . 2 . 1 G e n e r a l M e th o d o l o g y o f M e ta g am es
M e ta g a m e s a im to d r a w a t te n tio n to t he m edi um , or brin g t he p la y e r out o f t he
“ m a g i c c i r c le ” o f g a m e s . W h ile th e r e a r e i n fi ni te a p p r oa c h e s t o a c h ie vi n g thi s e e ct ,
m y fi n d i ng s ind ic a te t h a t v id e o g am e s c l a ss ified a s " me t a " es se n ti a ll y do on e o f
t h e s e t w o t h ing s :
● M e ta - r e f e r e n c e : P r o v id in g in f o rm a t i on o r im p ly i ng f a c ts f r o m the r e a l w o rld
t h a t c a n no t b e r e a s o n a b ly kn o w n w i t hin t he ga m e ' s u ni v e rs e, thu s f or c i ng
t h e p la y e r o u t o f t h e m a g ic ci r cle m om en t a r il y .
9
○ E. g. T a lk i n g t o t h e p la y e r , l oo k ing a t t he c a me r a , r e f er e nc ing r ea l - w orld
na m e s o r f a c t s , a c kn o w le dgin g th a t t he ga me i s a g a m e, e tc .
● C o n t e x t u a liz e d m e ta - i np u t : M a ki ng t he pl a y er ' s ou t -o f -g a m e a c ti on s
r e le v a n t a n d c o n s is te n t w i t h t he in - ga m e c on t e x t , thu s f or cin g t he pla y e r
b a c k i n t h e m a g ic c ir c le w he n the y ’ r e no t s u p p os ed t o .
○ E. g. G iv ing i n - g a m e m ea nings t o a c t io ns su c h as s a vi ng , lo a di n g,
r e pla y in g , o p e nin g , c lo s i ng t he ga me , a s w ell a s a c c ou n t in g f or the
p la y e r ' s kn o w l ed g e o r la c k o f k no w l e dge o f a n a s pec t o f the ga m e.
M e ta - r e f e r e n c e is a s im p le r te c h ni que t ha t c a n be ea s il y i ncor por a t ed r e ga r dl ess o f
t h e s t o r y a s it is o f te n u s e d f or c o m edi c p urp os es a nd i s ea s il y f or g o tte n , w h i le
c o n te x tu a l i z e d m e t a - inp u t h a s t o be in te gr a t e d in t o t he ga m e ' s n ar r a ti v e a nd ha v e
a m o r e s i g n ific a n t i m p a c t b e c a u se it has im pa c t o n t he s to r y . G oo d me ta ga me s
t e n d t o u t iliz e b o t h m e th o d s .
T o b e c le a r , s im ply a c kn o w l ed g in g t he p la y e r' s m e t a - i np ut w it h a s ta tem en t l ik e "I
k n o w y o u c a n s a v e a nd lo a d t h e ga me , p la y e r!" is o nly a n a c t o f m e t a - r e f er e n c e . T o
b e c o ns i d e r e d c o n t e x t u a liz e d m e t a-i npu t, t he ga m e m u s t a l so a s si gn m ea ni n g or
c o n s e q u e nc e to t h e p la y e r ' s o ut -o f -ga m e a c ti on s. F lo w e y in U ndertale , f o r
e x a m p le , r e a c t s to a nd p r o v id e s c on t e x t f o r t h e p l a y er ' s s a vin g a nd lo a din g, k ee pi ng
t h e s t o r y c o n s is t e n t w h ile inc l ud i ng t he sa ving a nd lo a di ng a c t io n, c a n be
c o n s i d e r e d c o n te x tu a l i z e d m e t a -i np ut t e chni q ue .
1 0
F ig. 7 . F lo w e y e x p l a inin g “ Sa v e ” abil it y i n t he w or ld o f U ndert ale
2 . 2 . 2 R e a l W or ld C o n c ep t
A G C P e m p lo y s m e ta - r e f e r e n c e a s i t s pr im ar y m e t aga m e m e t hod, s ubs ti t ut i n g
r e a l- w o r ld c o nc e p t s f o r t h e ty p ic al f a n t a s y e lem e n t s in vide o ga me s s u c h a s c a v e s
o r c a s t le s . T h i s is e v i d e n t in th e u se o f a pr e sen t a t i on, a m in d m a p , a n o n l in e
i n t e r v i e w o r m e e ti ng , a ta lk s h o w , o r a PC des kt o p . T his sho ul d gr ou nd the s tor y in
r e a li ty , w h e r e it t o o k p l a c e .
F ig . 8 . T h e “ Mindm a p ” i mi t a t io n i n A G CP
2 . 2 . 3 P a r a ll e l E or t
F o llo w i n g th e th o u g h t o f t h e pla y e r c o n t ribu t ing t o Ch a or a n ' s ga me de v e l opme n t
e o r t s , th e ga m e s h o u ld s t ri v e to a li gn w i th t he pl a y er ' s a c ti on s an d ma k e the m f ee l
1 1
t h e s a m e w a y C h a o r a n d o e s , i nc lud i ng f a c ing con se q u en ces ba s ed o n t he ir
d e c i s i o n s . T h i s is n ’ t r e a lly a m e ta ga me m e t h o d bu t a c om m on w a y f or a n y
r o le - p la y i n g g a m e, b u t w o r t h m en t io nin g f or it s a li gnme n t w it h m y r e a li ty .
F o r e x a m p le , in th e J o b H u n t s c e n e, t he p la y e r mu s t s e a r ch f or “J O B s ” a n d tr y to
“ a c t r i g h t ” d ur i n g t h e in te r v ie w . As in t ypic a l g a m es, t he p l a y er m a y e x p e c t to
e v e n tu a lly s u c c e e d . H o w e v e r , t h e y’ ll e x p er ie nce a s im il ar di s a ppoi n t m e n t t o
C h a o r a n w h e n t h e y u l t im a te ly f a il .
F ig . 9 . T h e “ In t er vie w ” S c en e in A GCP
2 . 2 . 4 D i er en t En din g s
A t fi r s t , t h e r e w a s o n ly o ne b a d e ndin g and one go od en din g. H o w e v e r , I r e a li z e d
t h a t e a c h a c t' s c o nc lu s io n c o u ld f ea t ur e a ba d endi ng w h er e Cha or a n f a il s to
c o m p le t e , h e ig h te n ing th e s ta k e s o f t he c h a p t er . T o s om e degr e e, thi s de si gn
a p p r o a c h c a n b e s ee n a s a c o n te xt u al iz e d m e t a - i np ut beca u s e i f th e pla y e r
e n c o u n t e r s a b a d e nd i ng w h e r e Ch a or a n f a il s t o c o m pl e t e t he ga m e, t he y w i ll mis s
o u t o n t h e r em a in ing c o n t e n t o f t he ga m e.
1 2
F ig. 10 . C ha r t o f di er e n t endi ngs
T o g a m i f y it e v e n m o r e , m o s t e ndi n g- dec i ding c h o i c es a r e made o ut o f a c t io n s
r a t h e r t h a n d ia lo g u e s e le c ti on . F o r e x a m pl e , a t the e nd o f A c t 4 , w her e the pla y e r
h a s t o m o v e f a s t en o u g h t o g e t P aak o t o t he end o f t he l e v el be f or e a ti m e r r un s
o u t , w h i c h r e p r es e n t s ge tt ing th e g a m e fini she d be f or e t he t i me de adli n e. T hi s is
t h e h a r d e s t p a r t in t h e g a m e , b e c aus e i t ’ s a ls o the bigge s t c ha ll e ng e f o r m e buildi ng
t h i s g a m e .
F o r t h e r e c o r d , t h e p lo t in th e f a ilur e e ndi ngs did no t o cc ur i n r ea li t y , but the y s till
f e e l c lo s e t o m e . G iv e n t h e s e tb a c k s I f a c ed i n c r ea t ing thi s ga m e, t he y w e r e n o t
e n t i r e ly i m pr o b a b le . F inis h i ng t h is g a me t oo k m e a gr e a t de a l o f r es ol uti on , e o rt
a n d a b i t o f l u c k.
2 . 2 . 5 In p u t S ep a r a t i o n
T o a d d r e s s t h e n a r r a t iv e d is s o na n ce i n A G CP , w h er e t he p l a y er co n t r o ls P a a k o but
P a a k o s t i ll s pe a k s a n d i n t er a c t s w it h t he p la y e r , I del ibe r a t e ly sep a r a t e d t he input
m e t h o d s . P a a k o i s s ol el y c o n tr o lled b y k e y bo a r d i npu t, w h il e a n y a c t ion s t a k e n b y
1 3
t h e p la y e r a r e d o ne u s in g m o us e cl ick s o r m o v e m en t s. T h i s h e l p s t o a ll e vi a te t he
c o n tr a d i c t i o n b e t w ee n t h e pla y e r' s c o n t r ol a nd P a a k o ' s i nde p ende n t ac tio n s a n d
d i a lo g u e s .
A t t h e e n d o f th is c h a p te r , I s h o u ld al so ac k n o w le dge t ha t j uggl ing t he s e thr ee
c r i t e r i a s i m u lt a ne ou s ly w a s no t a l w a y s as i deal a s s ta t ed. Des p i t e m y e o r t s to
m a i n t a i n na r r a ti v e h o ne s ty , t h e r e w e r e undo ub te dly s om e mi no r c once s s io n s m ade
t o s t r e a m lin e t h e s to r y . H o w e v e r , a t t he en d o f t he da y , e v e n do cum e n t a r ie s pr e se n t
e d i t e d f a c ts to m a k e f o r m o r e e nga g i ng vi e w in g, do n 't t he y ?
F ig . 11. T h e tr a c k o f t hou g h t f or t he p a r a l l el ch a lle ng e
14
C h a p t e r T h r e e : T h e R e cu r s iv e C h al l e n ge
A n o t h e r s ign ifi c a n t c h a lle n ge o f A G CP i s em bo die d i n i ts au to bio g r a p h i c a l n a t ur e .
T h e s t o r y r e v o lv e s a r ou nd d i e r e n t s t a ges in the ga m e de v e l opm en t pr o c es s , but I
o n ly c a m e to kn o w t h e s to r y a f t e r it h a d a lr ea dy o c c urr ed. T his m ade i t c ha l leng ing
t o d r a f t , g a m if y , a n d po lis h th e f ut ur e pa rt o f the ga m e a s it c r ea t ed a pa r a do x i c al
s i t u a ti o n .
3 . 1 A d a p t a t i o n ( M o v i e )
T h e c o n c e p t o f th is r e c u r s iv e a ut obi o gr a p h y f o r A G CP w a s hea vil y i n flu enc ed b y
t h e fi lm A da p t a t i o n ( 20 0 2 ) w r itt e n b y Ch a rl ie K a uf man . In t h e m o vi e, Cha rl ie
K a u f m a n i s t a s k e d w ith w r itin g a s c r e en p l a y a bout a boo k but s tr ug gle s t o fi nd a
w a y to a d a p t it, th e s c r e e np la y turn s o ut t o be thi s v e ry film t ha t w e a r e w a t c hi ng. I
w a s d r a w n to t h i s m o v i e a t t h e s ta r t w he n I deep ly r el a t ed to it s op eni n g
m o n o lo g u e . A n d la t er in t h e m o v ie, thi s m on ol ogue o f K a uf m an ga v e m e a ll I n e e ded
t o s h a p e P a a k o in to w h a t i t i s n o w:
“ I h a v e no un de r s t a n ding o f a n yt h i ng ou tsi d e o f m y o w n pan ic and s elf - lo at hing,
a n d p a t he t ic l i t tl e e x is t e nc e . It ’ s li k e th e o nly thi ng I’ m a c tual ly qua l i fie d to w rit e
a b o u t is m y self and m y o w n se l f … ”
A s I w r i t e t h i s p a p e r , I r e a liz e th a t m y s t r o ng c o nne c ti on t o su c h a m o n ol ogu e m a y
h a v e i n fl u e nc e d m y d e c is io n t o c r ea t e a n a u to bio g r a p h i c a l w ork . W r it ing a bou t
15
o th e r p e o p le , lo v e , r e la t io ns h i ps , an d s oc ie t y is n o t som e t hing I f e el c on fi de n t doin g .
H o w e v e r , I m u s t a d m it th a t I a m qu it e se lf - a bs or bed a nd r el is h the op p o r t uni t y to
g lo r i f y m y o w n s to r y .
T h e m o v i e a ls o h a s m a n y g r e a t r e cur s iv e des ign s su c h a s w her e N i c ol a s Ca ge
s p e a k s i n t o h i s h a n d - h e ld ta p e r e c o r der , s a y i ng : “ H e s pe a k s in to h is h a n d-hel d tape
r e c o r d e r , a nd h e s a y s … ” . A no th e r e x a m p l e w oul d be ho w th e e ndin g o f the m o vie
t u r n s i n t o w h a t K a u f m a n h a te d a t t he fi r s t pl a c e bu t a dvi se d b y M c K e e i n the mo v i e.
F i g . 12. C h a r lie K a u f m a n ( b y N ic ol a s Ca ge ) s pea k i ng to a t a pe r ec o r der
3 . 2 P r e d i c t a n d F i l l L a t e r
T h e m e th o d to ta c kle th e r e c u rs iv e c ha l len ge a p p ea r e d a ppa r e n t: pr edi c t fu tur e
e v e n ts , r e s e r v e s p a c e a n d p la c eho lde rs un ti l t he y o c c ur , and t he n fi l l them in.
16
F ig . 13 . G a m e c o n t en t pr edi ct ed a t di er e n t t im e s t am p
H o w e v e r , t h e r e a r e p r im a r i l y 3 is s ue s w it h thi s ap p r oac h :
● A s t h e g a m e p r o g r es s e d t o w a r ds the e nd, it be c a m e incr ea si ng ly di c u lt to
p r e d ic t a nd c r e a t e th e r i g h t a mo un t o f s p a c e f or fu t ur e e v en t s. E v en n o w , i t
i s u nc er ta in if th e r e w i l l b e e nou gh i n t e r es t i ng c on te n t to in clu de in a f ut ur e
le v e l I h a v e pl a nn e d , a n d the fin al le v e l " Pu bli sh ing " w i ll ha v e t o be c r e a te d
p u r e ly f r o m im a g in a tio n .
● A t a c e r t a in p o in t , it b e c om es a s elf - f ul filli ng p r op hec y f or m e. I f e el t he n e ed
t o a c t i n a c c o r d a nc e w it h m y pr e vi ous p r edi ct io ns t o k e ep the s to ry hones t
a n d a v o id m a k i n g a n y c h a nges . F or i ns t a nce , t o m a in ta i n t h e c h a r a c t e r ar c o f
" s t r u g gl i n g t o fi n d a jo b " f r o m F a ll 20 2 2, I m a y r e si s t w or ki ng o n m y p o r t f olio
a n d h u n tin g f o r n e w o p p o r tu ni t ie s in S pri ng 20 23 , t o s t a y i n t he mi n ds e t o f
b e i ng jo b le s s .
17
● T h e e a r lie r c h a p t e r s a r e o f te n su s c e p t ibl e t o a lt e r a ti on s la t er on , e ithe r to
i m p r o v e th e g a m e ' s o v e r a l l p e rf o r man ce o r bec a u se the c r e a t o r' s p e rs p e ctiv e
o n t h em h a s s h if te d . H o w e v er , s u c h c ha ng es m a y no t a c c ur a t ely r e fle c t wha t
o c c ur r e d b e f o r e a n d c ou l d p o te n ti all y c o mp r o m is e t he ga m e ' s ho n e s ty .
F u r t h e r m o r e, a s t h e p a p e r is w r itt e n a nd du e be f o r e t he ga me i s finis h e d, I c a nn o t
p r o v i d e a c om p r e h e n s iv e s u m m a ry o f h o w e v er y thi ng i s ul t im a te ly r e s ol v e d, a nd
t h e fi na l f o r m o f t h e g a m e m a y d i er fr o m w h a t ha s been pr e sen t ed in t hi s pa pe r .
S i m i la r t o m y c o n c lu d ing d i a lo gu e a t t he “ Pu bli s hi ng ” le v e l i n t he ga me : “T he r e ’ s a
li n e t h a t w e ju s t c o u ld n ’t p a s s . ”
W i t h r e c u r s iv e s to ry te llin g lik e th is, the r e a r e li m it a t i ons t o ho w m uch c a n be
a c c o m p li s h e d . A s a r es u lt, th e c h al l e ng e be c om e s fin din g an e l ega n t w a y to bl e nd
t h e f a c tu a l e v e n ts w ith im a g i n a t i v e e l em en t s, w hic h , b y t h e t im e I w r i t e thi s, I’ m s t ill
w o r k i n g o n in t h e g a m e .
1 8
C h a p t e r F o u r : C o n c lu s i on
A lt h o u g h t h e m e t a g a m e ge nr e h as flou r is he d i n t he p a s t deca de a nd a ll kinds o f
t h i n g s h a v e b ee n d o ne , I t h in k a n a ut obi og r a phi c a l ga m e l ik e A G am e Called Pa a k o
w i ll s t i ll fi nd its u niq u e s po t in th e s pe c tr um . T h e p r oce s s o f c r ea t ing it ha s
p r e s e n t e d n um e r ou s c h a lle ng e s , but h a s a l so o er e d m e a dis t i nct a n d m e m or abl e
e x p e r i e n c e a nd h o pe f u l l y p r o v id e t he pl a y er w it h t he sa m e, to o .
T h r o u g h t h e d e v e lo p m en t o f A G CP , i t bec a m e c l ea r t ha t ba l a nci ng t he thr e e c rite ria
o f f a c t , g a m e a nd s to ry c a n b e a r r a ng e d i n t o a li ne ar p r oc es s . T h e u s e o f f a c t u al
e v e n ts c o u ld m a k e th e w o r k e a s i e r i f y o u di g o u t the m os t v a lu a ble th i n gs f o r
s t o r y t e lli ng . B ut c o m p r om is e s w e r e us ua l ly n ece s s a ry i n o r der t o cr e a te a c oh esiv e
a n d e n g a gi ng g a m e .
A ls o , li m i t a t io ns w e r e e n c o u n te r e d i n f o r eca s t ing t he fu tu r e a n d l ea ving r o om f or
p la c e h o ld e r s in s u c h r ec u r s iv e s to r y t el li ng, y e t t he ga m e s t il l m a na ged to r e fl ec t i ts
o w n b i r t h p r o c es s m o s t ly , p r o v id ing v a lu a ble ins igh t s i n to t he c r ea t ion o f
a u t o b i o g r a p h ic a l ga m e s .
A n d h o p e f u lly , ju s t lik e h o w I h a v e pl anne d i n t he A c t 5 o f the ga m e, P a a k o w i ll
s t a n d i n t h e h a l l o f gr e a t ind ie g a me s a n d, w i th t he he lp o f i t s pla y e rs , ea r n i t s o wn
p la c e a m o ng t h e le g e nd s t h a t I’v e alw a y s a dm ir e d.
1 9
B i b l i o g r a p h y
T h o r n e , S a r a h . “T h e r e Is N o I m m e r sio n: Cr i ti ca l In t er v e n t io n t hr ough H y pe rmedi a c y in
M e ta g a m e s ” . E l u da m o s : J o u r na l f or Com p u ter G am e C ul t ur e 2 0 21 V ol . 12 ( 1 ) :
p p . 6 3 – 8 5 .
C o n w a y , S t e v e n. “ A c ir c ul a r w a ll? R e f o r mu la ti ng t he f o urt h w a ll f or vide oga m es ” .
J o u r n a l o f G a m in g & V ir tu a l W orl d s V o lu m e 2 , Nu m ber 2, 1 A u gus t 20 10 :
p p . 1 4 5 - 1 55( 11) .
“ H e r o ’ s J o u r n e y . ” W ikip e d ia , 30 N o v . 2 01 8 , en. w i ki p edi a . or g/ w i k i/ H er o %2 7s_j ou rne y .
T h e S t a nl e y P a r a b l e . G a la c tic C a f e, 2 0 1 3.
U n d e r t a le . T o b y F o x , 20 15 .
O n e S h o t. K o m o d o , 20 16 .
Ic e y . X D In c . , L im it e d R u n G a m e s , 201 6.
D o ki D o ki L ite r a t u r e C l ub ! . T e a m Sa l v a to , S er en it y F or g e , 20 17 .
T h e r e Is N o G a m e : W r o ng D im e n si on. Dr a w Me A P ix el , 2 0 20 .
In s c r y p t io n. D e v o lv e r D ig i t a l, 20 21 .
T h e S t a nl e y P a r a b l e : U lt r a De l u x e . C r o w s Cr o w s Cr o w s , 20 2 2.
A d a p t a t io n . Dir ec te d b y S pik e J o nz e , Col um bia P ic t u r es , 20 0 2 .
20

Abstract (if available)

Abstract In the 2020s, metafictional video games, or metagames, are no longer new to the mass audience. From classics like The Stanley Parable (2013) and Undertale (2015) to new ones like There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension (2020) and Inscryption (2021), indie developers have popularized this genre of games-about-games. But still, few of them are games about themselves, and nearly none of them is documenting their creation process. A Game Called Paako, my interactive media master’s thesis, poses a challenge to design a reasonably recursive metagame by telling the story of its own creation process from the top to the end, therefore filling the gap in the current discourse and the state of the art.

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Asset Metadata

Creator Huang, Chaoran (author)

Core Title A game called Paako: the challenge of an autobiographical video game

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

School School of Cinematic Arts

Degree Master of Fine Arts

Degree Program Interactive Media

Degree Conferral Date 2023-05

Publication Date 04/06/2023

Defense Date 04/06/2023

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag indie-game,metafictional game,metagame,OAI-PMH Harvest

Format theses (aat)

Language English

Advisor Lemarchand, Richard (committee chair), Bilson, Danny (committee member), Nealen, Andrew (committee member)

Creator Email chao8huang@gmail.com,chuang58@usc.edu

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-oUC112952569

Unique identifier UC112952569

Identifier etd-HuangChaor-11580.pdf (filename)

Legacy Identifier etd-HuangChaor-11580

Document Type Thesis

Format theses (aat)

Rights Huang, Chaoran

Internet Media Type application/pdf

Type texts

Source 20230406-usctheses-batch-1017 (batch), University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the author, as the original true and official version of the work, but does not grant the reader permission to use the work if the desired use is covered by copyright. It is the author, as rights holder, who must provide use permission if such use is covered by copyright. The original signature page accompanying the original submission of the work to the USC Libraries is retained by the USC Libraries and a copy of it may be obtained by authorized requesters contacting the repository e-mail address given.

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA

Repository Email cisadmin@lib.usc.edu