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18 - The Contribution of Narrative Puzzles to Player Challenge-Based Immersion: A Case Study of Abzû

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2025

Alanna Thain
Affiliation:
McGill University, Montréal
Carl Therrien
Affiliation:
Université de Montréal
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Summary

Abstract: In this chapter, the authors suggest that narrative puzzles in video games favour challenge-based immersion, because of the cognitive effort that players must make to interpret clues, draw hypotheses, or solve enigmas. They also argue that narrative puzzles can enhance ludic macro involvement and shared macro involvement when a group of players investigate the story together on forums. To do so, they draw on concepts such as “enigma-driven narratives,” “open texts,” and “forensic fandom.” They also conduct a close reading of the underwater adventure video game Abzu (Giant Squid, 2016), in addition to analyzing testimonies provided by four Abzu players during semi-structured interviews, as well as discussions between hundreds of players on internet forums.

Keywords: video game, player interviews, forensic engagement, reception, puzzle design

Introduction

In game studies, imaginative immersion and challenge-based immersion are generally perceived as different experiences. Imaginative immersion is described as a feeling of being transported or present in a fictional world, and is generally studied in relation to avatars, non-playable characters, storylines, and diegetic worlds. Challenge-based immersion is, for its part, comprehended as a feeling of being absorbed in an activity, and is typically linked to interactivity, goals, rewards, rules, and mechanics. Some game scholars acknowledge that these types of immersion overlap, but they remain vague on how they intersect.

In this chapter, we focus on the overlap between imaginative and challenge-based immersions by highlighting the contribution of what we call “narrative puzzles” to challenge-based immersion. More precisely, we argue that video game storylines are sometimes constructed as disseminated clues that need to be collected and pieced together. These narrative puzzles do not only enhance imaginative immersion, but also favour challenge-based immersion, because of the effort players must make to interpret clues, draw hypotheses, or solve enigmas. We finally hypothesize that narrative puzzles allow what might be named, following Calleja, “ludic macro involvement” and “shared macro involvement” when a group of players investigate the story together on forums.

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Chapter
Information
States of Immersion across Media
Bodies, Techniques, Practices
, pp. 393 - 416
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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