I want to analyze and study "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild"
because it's a groundbreaking open-world game that redefines the conventions of
the action-adventure genre by promoting exploration, player agency, and nonlinear
storytelling, and I would approach it from a narrative and gameplay perspective to
understand how it reshapes player engagement with digital media. This topic
matters to me because I'm passionate about video games, and I believe that
understanding the design principles and innovations of a game like Breath of the
Wild can deepen my appreciation of the medium. This topic is significant in
Games Studies because it showcases how a single game can challenge and
transform industry norms, pushing the boundaries of player experience and
immersion. It contributes to the ongoing conversation on the convergence of game
design and narrative in contemporary video games. This analysis can be valuable
to others because it offers insights into how video games can be a form of art and
interactive storytelling, influencing not just the gaming community but also those
interested in the broader intersections of technology, culture, and narrative. Major
points would be contextualized through academic sources like Jesper Juul's "The
Art of Failure" and Janet Murray's "Hamlet on the Holodeck," which provide
theoretical frameworks for analyzing games as interactive narratives. Additionally,
I'd draw from in-class discussions and peer-reviewed articles on game design,
virtual worlds, and narratives to bolster my arguments and provide a well-rounded
perspective on "Breath of the Wild" and its significance in the world of gaming and
interactive media.
