توسعه روایت‌های تعاملی در بازی‌های رایانه‌ای بر پایه عناصر داستان‌گویی غیرکلامی با مطالعه موردی مجموعه کابوس‌های کوچک

In recent years, video games have emerged as a prominent and influential medium in the realm of art and entertainment, revolutionizing storytelling methods. One significant aspect of this transformation is the innovative narrative techniques employed in games, offering players immersive and impactful experiences. Among these, non-verbal storytelling elements have gained prominence, particularly in games lacking dialogue. This study delves into the utilization of these elements in the Little Nightmares series, a notable example of a non-verbal game with intricate and evocative environmental design. The primary objective of this research is to examine and analyze the various functions of non-verbal storytelling elements, such as environmental design, music, character movement, and object interactions. The study seeks to understand how these elements can effectively convey a complex and emotional narrative without the need for dialogue, while simultaneously enriching the player's experience. In other words, this research explores how the use of colors, lighting, sound, music, character movements, and environmental changes can evoke specific emotions and concepts like fear, anxiety, and loneliness, transforming the game into a profound, wordless experience. The research methodology involves a thorough analysis of the various non-verbal storytelling elements in Little Nightmares. This analysis encompasses examining environmental design, the use of colors and lighting, music and sound, and character reactions to environmental challenges. Furthermore, the study investigates the psychological impact of these elements on players, particularly how they can evoke deep emotions like fear, anxiety, and empathy with the game characters. In this game, without the use of words or dialogue, players can comprehend the emotional and narrative developments of the characters and connect with them non-verbally. The research findings indicate that the utilization of non-verbal elements in Little Nightmares has effectively fostered empathy with the characters and the game world in players. The intricate design of game environments and gradual changes in lighting and color, coupled with music and environmental sounds, have successfully conveyed the inner emotions of characters and narrative developments. In other words, the game has created an atmosphere where players, without the need for dialogue, connect with the game's concepts and emotions, engaging in a deep psychological and emotional experience. This research holds significant importance for the video game industry as it demonstrates that the use of non-verbal storytelling can contribute to the creation of more engaging, impactful, and artistic games. Moreover, with the growing popularity of new technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), this type of narrative can play a prominent role in the design of interactive and innovative games in the future. These findings can serve as a model for the production of video games, especially in artistic, philosophical, and psychological domains, and contribute to the development of high-quality interactive works. Future research can explore comparative studies of the use of non-verbal elements in various games and analyze their cultural and genre-specific impacts. Additionally, further studies on the impact of using these elements in newer games with advanced technologies like VR and AR can pave the way for innovative methods in designing more interactive and innovative games.