Example that just came up in a discord I’m in: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. I havent played this game but someone who had said the game’s story of “Roxas hates his day job but tolerates it because afterwards he can hang out with his friends” is enhanced by the gameplay being “player hates the mission structure but they tolerate it because the story cutscenes are amazing”
Someone else said they doubt that was intentional, and I agree. But I asked the question of whether Death of the Author applies to game mechanics.
I say yes. But its something I hadnt considered before for sure.
Yes. Games as Narratives (as opposed to abstract Games as Play) can absolutely be subject of DotA- author’s don’t have to intend things for them to become part of the text.
The effect you’re describing is ludonarrative harmony, which is the opposite of ludonarrative dissonance.