Plan for MA project

My current plan for my MA project is still fairly nebulous in form, but I have a good idea of the topic that I want to explore. Through my time in the MSP MA program, I have been enlightened to my interest in media theory as well as psychological processing of media. I want to understand more about how different media affects us and why; particularly my passionate area of interest: video games. I am most interested in exploring the meaning found in game play mechanics or what Ian Bogost terms procedural rhetoric. I want to have a better understanding of why I prefer certain mechanics over others, what mechanics enrich the sensation of presence and how these mechanics effect narrative or their relation to ludo-narrative dissonance; the disparity between the narrative of a game and the narrative created through player action. My primary ideas for the form factor include a podcast series with video, a written thesis, or possibly using game maker to explore making my own game as Dr. Shaw suggested. I think a podcast series could do well alternating between guests among my peers and whatever scholars or professionals I could reach out and solo episodes. I also see merit in attempting to publish a theoretical thesis. Game maker seems like an amazing option if I could make a game that explores these themes both in narrative and mechanics, however, this would require the most time and extra work on my part in order to actually learn the program and skills require to pull off such a feat.