A study of narrative in digital sports games : a case study of narrative through NBA 2K14’s Mycareer mode

Abstract

This study analyses the relationship between narrative content and sports videogames. The subject of narrative in videogames is one of the most hotly contested topics in the industry. This dissertation attempts to delve deeper into this topic by focusing on a certain modality within a particular basketball videogame: NBA 2K14. It provided a perfect platform to analyse the effect of narrative in videogames that are generally played for their action, rather than their story. This is because the PS4 version of this game introduced a narrative-rich MyCareer mode that utilizes movie/TV dramalike cut-scenes to tell the story of an upcoming NBA player – a player created and controlled by the game’s user. 11 participants were selected, each one with varying degrees of experience playing sports videogames. They were asked to play two versions of NBA 2K14’s MyCareer mode; the PS4 version which includes the in-depth narrative content, and the PC version which has a much less detailed MyCareer mode with little to no narrative content. Each participant was then asked a series of questions during a semi-structured interview. Through the research conducted, it was found that the narrative content is universally considered as an integral part to the participants’ experience. The literature discussed provides a basis upon which the MyCareer mode can be analysed from a narratologist and ludologist point of view, in order to ascertain whether it can properly be considered as narrative. It was found that it does comply with narrative theory, however, it also goes beyond standard definitions of narrative, as control of the story is handed over to the player, rather than be pre-determined by the author. This was supported by the interviews conducted, as most participants said that the PS4 version’s appeal was in how personal the narrative felt.