Narrative Structures and Literary Adaptations in Video Games and Literature

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how emerging technologies in game development have influenced narrative form, reader/player engagement, and the evolution of storytelling across media. Furthermore, it will also analyze how video games were adopted from literary storytelling. The research was conducted to analyze and determine how The Lord of the Rings book series has influenced the rise of video games that included the plot development, literary adaptation, characters, and world adaptation that the developers took from the books.

Background: The rise of interactive media and game technologies has fundamentally changed the way narratives are constructed and experienced. Once viewed purely as entertainment, video games now serve as complex storytelling platforms that challenge established literary structures. Furthermore, Games are increasingly drawing on literary sources and using advanced narrative techniques, so their narrative design should be examined in relation to classic literary storytelling. The methodology used in this research is a comparative qualitative analysis using selected video games (Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, The Lord of the Rings Online, World of Warcraft, and Skyrim) and literary texts with similar themes or adaptations. The research draws from narratology and ludology to evaluate narrative structure, character development, agency, and world-building. Technological factors such as branching narratives, AI-driven dialogues, and procedural storytelling are also analyzed.

Key findings: In this study, interactivity in video games allows players to co-author the narrative and play an important role in the development of the story. On the other hand, literature provides deep emotional and symbolic experiences through a textual structure. This study examines how game narratives incorporate literary traditions into novel storytelling formats that are enabled by technology while referencing literary traditions. Finally, the outcome of this research is to understand how video games adapted from narrative structures. Furthermore, the research will also show the difference between direct and indirect adaptation.