ludologinaratologiakeskustelun

Ludologinaratologiakeskustelu, often abbreviated as LRT, is a philosophical and theoretical debate that centers around the nature of games and their relationship to other forms of art and media. The term itself is a portmanteau of "ludology" and "narratology," which are the fields of study dedicated to the analysis of games and narrative, respectively.

The debate originated in the early 2000s, primarily within the academic community, as a response to the growing interest in video games as a legitimate form of artistic expression. Ludologists, such as Jesper Juul and Gonzalo Frasca, argue that games are unique and should be studied as a distinct medium, separate from narrative. They contend that games have their own rules, goals, and structures, which are fundamentally different from those found in narrative forms like literature or film.

Narratologists, on the other hand, maintain that games are essentially narratives with additional layers of interactivity and playability. They argue that games can be analyzed using traditional narrative techniques, and that the interactivity and playability elements are secondary to the underlying story.

The LRT debate has had a significant impact on the field of game studies, shaping the way academics and researchers approach the analysis of games. It has also influenced the broader cultural conversation about games, leading to a greater appreciation of their complexity and diversity. Despite the ongoing debate, both ludologists and narratologists agree that games are a rich and multifaceted medium that deserves serious scholarly attention.