Week Two

One lecturer, Dr Bogost (2007) argued that games were commonly thought of as entertainment, however they are better understood through the medium of expression. Bogost believed that games are a “lens of rhetoric, the study of persuasive expression”.
In the lecture we focused on one particular game, Manhunt. It was hugely controversial because it is a very explicit and gory game, stirring up many debates. Rhetoic can be applied to this game using two main categories – the rhetoric of the representations of the game, and the rhetoric within the games itself. The rhetoric for the representations of Manhunt are often very negative. Mellisa Hodges (2004) commented that it was “excessively sadistic” - such a strong phrase conjures up very negative connotations.
The rhetoric within Manhunt is equally as negative, making out that it is acceptable to kill without sincerity or guilt, and that even the most trivial of items can be used as a murderous weapon. Aside from this, the game also shows how twisted and corrupt the government and the criminal system is as the lead character Cash, is sold to the highest bidder when he has been sanctioned by law to die for his previous convictions.

However, Rhetoric is not only a negative persuasive device, it can have quite the opposite effect. The game RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 has been represented as a fun and light hearted game, where the player attempts to keep customers happy through the design and running of a theme park.
The rhetoric within the game is also positive; it shows that if you keep people happy good things will happen to you. If you are not doing something right, you are helped through constructive criticism to help you reach your goals. There is no use of violence/aggression and it indicates that helping a neighbour will intern bring you prosperity.

Bibliography:

Bogost, I. (2007) The MittPress The Expressive Power of Videogames. [Online]. Retrieved on 2nd March 2007 from: http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11152

Hodges, M. (2004) The Northerner 'Manhunt' video game filled with rampant violence. [Online]. Retrieved on 2nd March 2007 from: http://media.www.thenortherner.com/media/storage/paper527/news/2004/01/28/Entertainment/manhunt.Video.Game.Filled.With.Rampant.Violence-590171.shtml