Interactive Narratives: Rethinking Interactivity and Digital Archiving
Description
Interactive storytelling has become a cornerstone of modern narrative forms, reshaping the processes by which stories are crafted and experienced. Drawing upon the discussions and insights from last year's conference seminar, this year's Interactive Storytelling Seminar seeks to undertake a deeper exploration of the concept of interactivity. Additionally, it will address the challenges posed by the archiving of digital culture and the preservation of interactive projects, emphasizing the need for innovative methodologies and critical frameworks to sustain these narrative forms for future scholarship and engagement.
This seminar will explore the transformative potential of interactive narratives and the challenges in archiving digital culture. In a comprehensive dialogue, we aim to engage scholars and practitioners from various research fields, including literature, communication, film, digital, games, and cultural studies. We encourage submissions that engage with the following key themes:
1. The Notion of Interactivity:
Reevaluate traditional concepts of interactivity, moving beyond user-computer interface paradigms to explore more nuanced interactive dynamics.
Address how meaningful and engaging interactive experiences can add value to narratives and gameplay.
Explore various forms of interactivity, from physical installations requiring user actions to digital platforms that offer narrative superposition and user agency.
2. Archiving Digital Culture:
Investigate the challenges and methodologies involved in preserving interactive media.
Examine the preservation of virtual reality experiences, multimedia installations, software, interactive fiction, and video game narratives.
Highlight the need for innovative solutions to maintain these media's interactive and experiential qualities for future research and accessibility.
Proposals should offer fresh insights, demonstrate critical engagement with the seminar's core themes, and contribute to a deeper understanding of interactive storytelling and/or the complexities of digital archiving. Submissions on related topics will also be considered.