Dismantling through deconstruction : narratives in computer role-playing games

Abstract

This thesis explores the complex narrative structures of computer role-playing games (RPGs) through the lens of deconstruction, a critical theory advanced by Jacques Derrida. Focusing on three specific RPGs; The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Disco Elysium, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – this study investigates how these games construct and deconstruct their narratives, challenging the traditional storytelling norms and player agency typically associated with the genre. RPGs, with their complex web of storylines, branching narratives, and player-driven plots, serve as an appropriate ground for deconstructive analysis, revealing the instability and multiplicity of meanings within their virtual environments. Deconstruction, as a theoretical framework, interrogates the fixed meanings and hierarchical structures inherent in texts, uncovering the inherent contradictions and instabilities. By applying deconstructive principles, this thesis dissects key narrative moments and player interactions in the selected RPGs, demonstrating how these games create and allow the subversion of established genre conventions and offer diverse interpretations of their stories. This approach not only highlights the narrative complexity of RPGs but also underscores the dynamic interplay between player agency and pre-scripted content, showcasing the fluidity of meaning in digital storytelling. One central theme of this research is the concept of différance, which Derrida describes as the endless deferral of meaning and the interplay of difference within language. In the context of RPGs, this concept is mirrored in the games’ open-world structures and branching narratives, where every player choice leads to new possibilities and interpretations. The study examines how these games create individual narratives as part of a larger, ever-evolving meta-narrative, emphasising the interdependence of various storylines and character arcs, through other Derridean concepts and deconstructive notions. By examining the narrative of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Disco Elysium, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt through a deconstructive lens, this study contributes to the understanding of digital game narratives and their potential to challenge and expand traditional storytelling frameworks. It provides a critical perspective on how RPGs create spaces for multiple, often conflicting interpretations, fostering a deeper engagement with the medium and its narrative possibilities.