Dissertation Help!

[TheInfamousOne]

Greetings Escapist!

I'm racking my brains trying to finalise a topic for my dissertation project and I was wondering whether the fine people of the Escapist could be of any assistance!

I've narrowed it down to revolve around the subject of immersion in video games, such as the effects it can have on people or how developments in technology are making them more immersive, but it needs to slightly more specific. Any input will be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[hittite]

I'd suggest Silent Hill. Especially 2. It's generally accepted as the most immersive in the series and will mess with your head.

 

[MGlBlaze]

Not sure how helpful this will be, but make sure you include something about how a well-designed game can induce a state of 'Flow' in people; I.E. when someone becomes immersed in the experience and the action offers the right challenge for a person's skill level. A distorted perception of time often occurs; hence the old "Time flys when you're having fun" adage.

Also ensure that you don't jsut focus on technology; sound, writing and the setting all have a big impact on immersion too.

 

[pelopelopelo]

Maybe go for something about games as art, and how the immersion in the world can aid this?

 

[Tireseas_v1legacy]

How do you define "immersive?" I think that will be key to determining a good topic.

 

[unoleian]

How do you define "immersive?" -snip-

That in-and-of-itself could be a VERY extensive topic.

 

[Nerdygamer89]

If you're thinking of writing about immersion as it relates to psychological aspects, as an above poster suggested, try Silent Hill 2 as a specific example. There's psychosexual symbolism abounds in that game, from the subtle to the downright Freudian, and it all relates to the protagonist in some way.

 

[Nerdygamer89]

I highly doubt anyone takes Freud seriously any more

Not generally, no. Freud is typically sort of a joke in the psych community now days. There ARE still some neo-freudians that put some value in his dream theories, and some of his psychoanalytic methods, but reject his more outlandish, misanthropic views such as his theory that all actions are motivated by sex or aggression at their very base levels, or his id, ego, superego theory (which was based on Plato's "city" in The Republic, by the way).

However, the concept of Freudian imagery is still alive and well. It's just a way to describe something that's very overtly sexual without actually involving the act of sex itself.

/ramble off

 

[errorfied]

May I just say one thing?

DON'T LEAVE IT TO THE NIGHT BEFORE

Am currently in this situation and it's causing me the kind of pain I don't think most people can even comprehend. Why the hell am I on the Escapist...? *runs off to dissertate*

 

[Tireseas_v1legacy]

If you're thinking of writing about immersion as it relates to psychological aspects, as an above poster suggested, try Silent Hill 2 as a specific example. There's psychosexual symbolism abounds in that game, from the subtle to the downright Freudian, and it all relates to the protagonist in some way.

I highly doubt anyone takes Freud seriously any more

I highly doubt your doubt is completely true. While significant portions of his theories have been disproven or set asside, some of his bsae theories, particularly the id-ego-superego theory, are still viewed as possibly true but unverifiable. It is the somewhat opaque nature of what happens in the brain that makes them unverifiable.

On that note, what makes a game immersive may be a good topic.

 

[HolidayBrick]

How do you define "immersive?" -snip-

That in-and-of-itself could be a VERY extensive topic.

I second this. Take examples of games that people find immersive, or there is dispute over, take into account perspective, storytelling, protagonist, whatever and discuss how immersion is created in video games.

I like it.

 

[TheInfamousOne]

May I just say one thing?

DON'T LEAVE IT TO THE NIGHT BEFORE

Am currently in this situation and it's causing me the kind of pain I don't think most people can even comprehend. Why the hell am I on the Escapist...? *runs off to dissertate*

HAHA! That's exactly what I've done, fortunately this is just the proposal stage so it's OK to not be finalised.

But I have to say, the Escapist once against fails to disappoint!