Narrative patterns in FarCry3

Abstract

This paper aims to go down into the rabbit-hole, by analysing the narrative experience derived from games and investigate how it functions in conjunction with the gameplay. This analysis will focus in detail on a case study of Ubisoft's 2012 title Far Cry 3 (FC3). FC3 is a sequel to Far Cry (2004), the original title was developed by Crytek, and produced by Ubisoft. The sequels have been Ubisoft Montreal creations. I have selected FarCry3 as it is commercially successful, as of February 2013 it sold over 4, 5 million copies (Phillips, T. "Far Cry sales hit 4.5 million" 2013). It also received various nominations, including an award for its story, during the 9th British Video Game Awards (Reynolds “Bafta Game Awards 2013” 2012). FC3 can, therefore, be viewed as being indicative of what the populist gaming community desires in a game, an indicator of present trends in narrative development in games. For this paper, I intend to use Hendry Jenkins’ narrative model to analyse how FC3 structured. As a result, illuminating how FC3, manages to engage with a cogent narrative, while operating in conjunction with an engaging game mechanic. I intend to present the structures as they exist within the case study's fictional world.

In this research report I will argue that FC3 incorporates multiple narrative structures which promote gameplay. I will play the FC3 critically to gain an overall perspective and through the use of in play videos to select key scenes for analysis within my case study. With the knowledge invested, I intend to apply Jenkins’ narrative architecture in my analysis.

[No abstract provided. Information taken from introduction].