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The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS
Thesis (MMus)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867614028520488960 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Loubser, Micaela Megan Nolukholo |
| author2 | Schonken, Antoni |
| author_browse | Loubser, Micaela Megan Nolukholo Schonken, Antoni |
| author_facet | Schonken, Antoni Loubser, Micaela Megan Nolukholo |
| author_sort | Loubser, Micaela Megan Nolukholo |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MMus)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132633 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:45:31.220Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132633 The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS Loubser, Micaela Megan Nolukholo Schonken, Antoni Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Music. Video game music -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. Video game music -- Analysis, appreciation GRIS (Video game) -- Music Video game composers Music --Symbolism Grief -- Psychological aspects UCTD Thesis (MMus)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Loubser, M. M. N. 2025. The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/bbff2ec8-5db1-4f1c-9f6a-d164034b5492 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines the compositional techniques used to portray narrative structure in the adventure video game GRIS. Video game music has evolved into a critical component of the gaming experience, particularly within narrative-driven genres like adventure games, where music enhances emotional immersion and communicates themes. This study explores how GRIS uses musical compositions to support and convey its storyline, which is centred around grief and emotional healing. The research adopts a grounded theory approach, conducting an in-depth case study analysis of GRIS, focusing on how its music aligns with the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Through action research cycles and personal gameplay analysis, the study reveals the distinct compositional strategies that correlate with each stage, incorporating diegetic and non-diegetic elements to amplify player engagement and reinforce the narrative's emotional depth. This study aims to contribute to the growing field of video game music research, emphasizing the importance of music as a narrative tool in gaming. Findings encourage further discourse on the intersection of music and narrative within interactive media and suggest practical insights for composers and developers. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die komposisie-tegnieke wat gebruik word om narratiewe struktuur uit te beeld in die avontuur-videospeletjie GRIS. Videospeletjie-musiek het ontwikkel tot 'n kritieke komponent van die spelervaring, veral binne narratief-gedrewe genres soos avontuur-speletjies, waar musiek emosionele betrokkenheid verhoog en temas kommunikeer. Hierdie studie verken hoe GRIS musikale komposisies gebruik om sy storielyn, gesentreer rondom rou en emosionele herstel, te ondersteun en oor te dra. Die navorsing neem 'n grounded theory-benadering aan en voer 'n diepgaande gevallestudie-analise van GRIS uit, met fokus op hoe die musiek in lyn is met die vyf stadia van rou: ontkenning, woede, bedinging, depressie en aanvaarding. Deur aksienavorsingsiklus en persoonlike speletjie-analise openbaar die studie die unieke komposisiestrategiee wat met elke stadium verband hou en gebruik diegetiese en nie-diegetiese elemente om spelerbetrokkenheid te versterk en die narratief se emosionele diepte te verhoog. Hierdie studie beoog om by te dra tot die groeiende veld van videospeletjie-musieknavorsing en beklemtoon die belangrikheid van musiek as 'n narratiewe instrument in interaktiewe media. Masters 2025-06-12T07:05:21Z 2025-06-12T07:05:21Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132633 Stellenbosch University ix, 82 pages : illustrations, music application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Video game music -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. Video game music -- Analysis, appreciation GRIS (Video game) -- Music Video game composers Music --Symbolism Grief -- Psychological aspects UCTD Loubser, Micaela Megan Nolukholo The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS |
| title | The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS |
| title_full | The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS |
| title_fullStr | The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS |
| title_full_unstemmed | The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS |
| title_short | The compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games: a study of the creative approaches in GRIS |
| title_sort | compositional portrayal of narrative structure in adventure video games a study of the creative approaches in gris |
| topic | Video game music -- Criticism, interpretation, etc. Video game music -- Analysis, appreciation GRIS (Video game) -- Music Video game composers Music --Symbolism Grief -- Psychological aspects UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132633 |
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