Divergent Streams- Julia Danielson

 I really enjoyed how this chapter was all about mobile phones and VR. The idea of using location to play into the interactive aspect of electronic literature is interesting but also feels a little creepy as it is definitely a breach of privacy. But I agree with Retteberg in the sense that "our desires for the convenience of location-aware technology have trumped fears of the abuse of that information by the entities we surrender it to" (184). Just as the internet is filtered depending on where you are in the world, electronic literature works use location to implement interaction. Considering locative technology specifically, Retteberg suggests it "opens up new dimensions to our experience of storytelling by blurring or modifying the diegetic ditinction between imagined setting and the physical world" (188). I think this context of electronic literature with locations and VR will be the most rapidly growing and changing form of ELIT. 

I was really interested in how our phones can use our location to create interactive narratives. In 'Zombies, Run!" by Naomi Alderman (2015), she doesn't use location but rather our movement to create a narrative. It's a mobile game that tracks your fitness by making you feel like your in an apocalypse. 

The app opens by setting the scene with text and images: "Only a few have survived the zombie epidemic. You are a Runner en-route to one of humanity's last remaining outposts: Abel Township. They need your help to gather supplies, rescue survivors, and defend their home. And you have another mission. One Abel doesn't know about... Play by walking, jogging, or running in the real world". Inside the game, there are series of missions and 10 seasons of games that you must complete by walking/running/jogging for a set amount of time. You can allow the "chase" option which includes zombies to be chasing you and prompts you to speed up. You can listen to your own music while exercising, or listen to the zombie apocalypse story for more motivation. By completing missions and earning points, you can collect tools to build your "homebase", which shows a percentage of how happy the citizens of your town are with you homebase. I think the game is interesting how it can track how fast you are going. I think this is an excellent example of bridging the physical and imaginative world. 

Comments

  1. Abby T.April 3, 2023 at 5:40 AM

    Zombies, Run! is probably the most creative interpretation of what sounds like an exercise app that I've ever seen. I love the idea of there being a story where you can physically work towards a good ending, it seems so immersive!

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  2. suchana sApril 4, 2023 at 9:31 AM

    I love Zombies run, I have run using the app before. The only thing difficult for me is how much of a coward I am. But fear being the primary motivator, it works! Another thing I found interesting about it is the collection aspect of the running, that you can collect and help homebase with your runs. I always though they should expand this part and allow players to see the town they're helping.

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