AVATAR & Possible worlds

AVATAR has multitude meanings & usage. The term when used in computing means the graphic representation of a user, when used in television (mainly soaps & serials) it takes the shape of fictional race of creatures (in soap Carnivale), group of people in television (in serials Charmed) while the term is constantly used in Games & in concept of religion.

In Hindu mythology, AVATAR is the manifestation or appearance of Hindu deity. Vishnu, the protector of Earth has been considered as an AVATAR figure. A figure having enormous power under his belt & can CONTROL the destiny of human mankind.

In games, AVATAR has its own way of representation. Most video games have their GAMEPLAY centered on a specific being. It might be human being or it can be machines, but it is ‘’characterised by a clear marking of its individuality and of its physical presence in space.’’ The avatar functions as the protagonist of the game play and also becomes the mediator of the fiction to the player.

Avatar as an individual being is satisfactory as linguistic categorisation but it is too abstract 2 be applied to video games. AVATAR is a game unit, that is under the player’s control. By Control, avatar has to be causally aligned to the player and act under the player’s operation within the game system. Control of the AVATAR is shaped in accordance with the game rules.

AVATAR always gets the biased favour of the game player. In fictional world, the possible worlds are the mentally constructed outcomes of different actions. Say, in marriage, there is a preconceived notion that it will end in happiness. But, it can also end in pathetic divorce. Thereby, fictional world gives the reader a scope to judge a character as either sympathetic or antipathetic.

For example, Marie Laure Ryan noticed that in Cinderella, by locking the doors her step mother creates 2 possible worlds, one where, the Cinderella gets to the ball, and marries the prince, and another where the Cinderella is hindered & her step sister instead marries the prince. The step mother’s action is judged as malign as our sympathy is directed to Cinderella.

Game theory is meant for non-interactive fictions. An uncritical use of the theory will provide meager results as the player is connected to the avatar & thus will be biased in the AVATAR’s favour. In ludological paradigm, the game needs the possibility of player interaction for better gaming experience & categorizing / highlighting the role of AVATARS.

Bibliography

1) steven conway class lectures & slides
2) http://www.digra.org/dl/db/07311.16435.pdf
3) http://www.ludology.org/articles/ludology.htm