I do think some games are works of art, although their…
“I do think some games are works of art, although their medium is visual rather than verbal. Both games and novels allow the reader/player to become a protagonist in the theater of the imagination. Both build worlds. In my opinion, the big difference between game and novel is in narrative structure. Communal role-playing games are open-plan without an end. A novel - at least the kind I write - has a closed structure with a beginning, a middle, and an end. I like that closed structure, and I feel I can say more with it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Games and novels both create worlds, but differ: games are open‑ended, novels have fixed structures, which the author prefers for depth.
In simple terms: Games are open; novels are closed.
Key Takeaway
Choose the structure that fits your story.
Themes
creativity
storytelling
medium
structure
art
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
expository
critical
When to use this quote
- game design
- novel writing
- creative workshops
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
narrative theory
interactive media
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value freedom or closure more?
- How does structure affect emotional impact?
A Different Perspective
Closed structures may limit player agency.