First Person

Games and Stories can both have narrative. Games and Stories both have settings, characters, and plot. Murray says that the story comes before the game because storytelling is a core human activity. I agree with Murray because if games did not have a story within it, it would not be very interesting. I see Second Life as a game because my avatar is my "player." My "player" interacts with this world because I can create things and can chat with others. Games include audio and three dimensional navigation just as Second Life does.

One way Murray suggests inducing immersion is by structuring participation with a mask. An avatar is a good example of this within Second Life. Aarseth views everything as a story-from life , to the building that he works in. He talks about games as "interactive narratives" and describes narrativism as viewing everything as a story for us to understand our cognitive perspective on the world.

Games have rules and I think when you take those away it becomes more of a story. I also think of Second Life as a story because there are not any rules to go by. What makes SL a story is our avatars (or characters). Characters personalities and traits are what make people so interested in a story. Every avatar in SL is unique, created to look a certain way. Our personality is put into the creation of our avatar, from our clothing, hairstyle, skin color, or tattoos.

I agree with Aarseth as he describes games being about the Self. In a game you are not worried about others because you are trying to win something for yourself. Games don't allow you to have interpersonal relationships as novels do. Novels are good at relating the inner lives of characters. People enjoy playing games because of the exploration of different levels and victory. Ludology and narrativism are both important because it is what keeps games and stories interesting and more real.

Second Life

Having assignments in Second Life, made me realize that I do not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Trying to do the scavenger hunt with several computers that freeze up every time I try to move is not much fun. Making a chair with my personality was hard for me to do. I could not find textures that I wanted and could not make a chair properly. I was really frustrated after spending hours trying to create a chair so I bought one for free instead. This is a picture of my avatar giving up on my box chair.

Second Life

Second Life has been a neet experience. It really is a virtual world where people can interact with others. Glassner says an author's desires are satisfied within the character. The characters he created are interacting in a way that is true to their personalitie, and the necessary confrontation will occur, with the necessary result.

The avatar that I interviewed in Second Life wanted her look to fit her personality. Her name is Raven Quine and she is a Mainland Renter. She chose her avatar's height according to her height in real life, 6'1. Raven chose her appearance to be pretty much realistic. She wanted pale skin to match hers. She did not want to be skinny like a "stripper body." She actually chose her facial features randomly. Her avatar style is mainly her style just spiffed up and more feminine.

I sked her about my appearance and what I could to change my look. She told me "to reduce the buggin of my eyes because its petruding my skin." I did not take this as an insult at all. As soon as she told me this, I actually reduced the size of my eyes. I really love this about Second Life. I can change my appearance not only from the clothes that I am wearing, but to the size and shape of my body and to specific facial features.

Second Life's environment is realistic to our world. There are parks, buildings, bars, etc. I can also share a conversation with others that I come across. I actually found out that the people are actually friendly and don't mind helping you out. There is probably so much more you can do playing Second Life, and I am looking forward to finding that out.

Digital Story

My story takes place in Vancouver, Canada, over the Christmas holidays. Glassner has said the ways in which someone can be interactive in a story. I was able to be interactive in my digital story because I was the one creating it. Stories have characters, plots, and conflicts. I chose the sequence of events for my story to flow well together. The setting is clearly around Christmas, not only does it say Christmas, but the characters are standing in front of a Christmas tree. The characters in the story are of my dad, brother, sister, and myself. I got my idea from the example of making a digital postcard from a trip that I have recently taken.

My story is all about my family having fun in a beautiful city that I have never been before. The events that are taking place in my story are from the Marriott, Chinese Garden, Granville Island, Seabus Ferry, Giggledam Dinner Theater, and Grouse Mountain. This story shows how beautiful Vancouver is by just seeing the boats from the bridge looking down onto Granville Island. The views from the Mountain overlooking the City are similar as to looking at a postcard. The trip was a once in a lifetime experience.

Glassner in Interactive Storytelling says characters have traits that leave a lasting impression on us. In my digital story, my family and I show that we are brave by skiing on a huge mountain for the first time, well except my dad. This is probably the climax of my story because it is at the end and it shows our personalities. By creating my own digital story it allowed me to be the author and tell a story to someone else. This was a good experience for putting a story together digitally and to get familiar with iMovie. By creating this I got better at using transitions as well. I learned that you can not just put any transition where you like because it can affect the tone of a story, even thought they are fun to use.

Interactive Storytelling

In Andrew Glassner's Interactive Storytelling, he tells of different ways which we can be interactive in a story. When we play video games, we can play against the computer or play others online(XBoxLive). When reading stories we can be interactive or creative by picturing the characters in our minds and using our imagination to create their personalities or looks.

Theobald Boehm studied physics, mechanics, and music which led him to create the perfect flute. Before he created his final flute, he experimented with different spaces of holes, shapes of the flute, and locations of the levers. He was able to create a flute that we still use today through his creative and artistic ability. Stories have characters, plots, and conflicts. The hero in a story has a goal he wants to reach and has to face the challenges of obtaining that goal.

In stories, characters have traits that leave a lasting impression on us. Their personalities are the same as normal people but to a greater extent. Characters can be more arrogant or more stronger. Characters are just like us but just more exaggerated. The main characters in "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix," are Ron Weasley, Hermoine Granger, and Harry Potter. These characters are more brave and courageous than the other young wizards in the story.

Character often change throughout the story, either changing people with their presence or changing by finding their true self or identity. Harry does both in "The Order of the Phoenix," by changing the people around him to be more aware of the dark arts. He also has to find his true identity when Lord Voldemort can read his mind. Glassner says "A great character is not a perfect copy of a real person, but an artful representation of a person."

Glassner describes stories with foreshadowing and plot twists. He also describes villains and their characteristics. Villains can be a person or a force of nature. They are usually stronger and smarter than the hero and have more knowledge.
The protagonist in this story is Harry Potter and the antagonist is Lord Voldemort. Everyone loves to watch our main characters grow and learn throughout stories. The climax of a story is usually at the end when our hero has to make an important decision, whether it be life changing or life saving. The hero has to make physical, emotional, or spiritual decisions. At this point it is not important what Harry has said but it is important what Harry will do.

The setting of "Harry Potter" takes place at Hogwarts, school of wizardry, where there is wizards, spells, and more magic. The plot of a story is all the events that have occurred. Harry Potter has returned to Hogwarts for his fifth year. The wizarding community has been led to believe that the story of Harry's recent encounter with Lord Voldemort is a lie. The minister for magic has appointed a new defense against the dark arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge. Professor Umbridge's course of defensive magic leaves the young wizards unprepared to defend themselves against the dark forces. Ron and Hermione talk Harry into taking control of the situation since he has had the experience. Harry and some of the young wizards meet secretly who call themselves "Dumbledore's Army." Harry prepares them for the battle they are about to encounter by teaching them how to defend themselves against the dark arts.

A story is told told from a point of view. The film "Harry Potter, And the Order of the Phoenix," is in objective viewpoint, where the narrator is describing what is happening. Being interactive in stories is why reading or watching a story is fun. We imagine characters qualities and personalities. Since "Harry Potter" is in a fantasy world, it lets us use be creative with our minds.

Henry Jenkins

The world is changing so much and so fast with all of the new media we have today. Convergence is happening right now as people use more technology today than ever before. Technology has given us many ways to listen and watch new media. We don't just have cell phones to make calls, but to text message and search the Internet. Instead of calling a friend and having a conversation, younger people are text messaging their friends. Instead of calling a teacher or a friend to ask a question, we e-mail them. With computers, game systems, and the Internet, people are having less direct communication one on one. People rarely go outdoors and enjoy the beauty of nature anymore. Video games are keeping us indoors at hours at a time. People don't have to leave their homes to go shopping, they can conveniently shop online on their personal computers. When the older generation were kids they would play outside, go to the park, climb trees, and roller skate to have fun. Today's younger generation are on myspace and facebook during their free time. The older generation is still getting used to all of the technology being created. Convergence of different culture is happening as people accept change and learn of various technology.

I can relate to "Photoshop for Democracy" in Convergence Culture because I voted in 2004. I don't know much about politics, but seeing famous people on Television talking about politics made me interested in voting. I became interested when I saw PDiddy on MTV, seeing his slogan "Vote or Die" everywhere. I do believe that in 2004 more younger people voted in the election than ever before. Your could turn on the TV and see presidential campaigns and go onto the Internet and see more. I do think if politics were taught at an earlier age people would be more into it and would be able to understand it.

ChillOne in "Spoiling Survivor" made it a game for everyone to find out which contestant would make it. The reality show "Survivor" was a big hit and that's why fans would post their comments on the Internet. The reality show was a hit because it was different than a regular scripted show. The contestants on the show were real, but still played different characters. Reality shows do not have scripts and have the camera on them 24/7. To ChillOne and everyone else who participated, spoiling was fun. The fans saw it as game to predict what would happen before everyone else watched the show.

American Idol is doing so well because the fans actually get to pick the winner. Fans actually get to decide who they think is the best singer. Normal people like you and I get to try out to be the next American Idol. Regular people actually get a chance at stardom. People began text messaging more than ever and for the first time. The media of American Idol brought people to use technology to vote. People could call or text their weekly votes for their favorite Idol.
The Matrix did not do so well because people did not understand it. It is hard to imagine how the future will be. It is hard for us to imagine living in a different world. It is still interesting and that's why people would discuss all the interpretations on the Internet. Many fan cites have been created because of Star Wars. People write parody's, but have to keep it PG since the movie was rated PG. Media today has made people interested and made them fans. People create video games of movies and shows. We are taking every advantage of media through technology.

I can relate to Jenkins "Why Heather Can Write," because Harry Potter is a great fiction book. I thought Harry Potter was fun and interesting. Heather has an imagination and can come up with different ideas about Harry Potter to write about. Harry Potter is an imaginative world that takes place at Hogwarts School of Wizardry. Heather created "The Daily Prophet" where reporters develop their reports about life at Hogwarts. The Daily Prophet is a good way for writers to imagine themselves in the story. For the people that wanted the book banned, they must take life too seriously. Harry Potter is fantasy and created in an imaginative world. Kids know fact from fiction. Being interested in Harry Potter does not mean you believe in witchcraft and go against your faith or church.

A wide variety of technology is being used today. It is only a matter of time that everyone including the older generation will be using it and liking it. People will understand different culture and appreciate it. Jenkins says, "Consumers will be more powerful within convergence culture-but only if they recognize and use that power as both consumers and citizens, as full participants in our culture."