ABSTRACT

Computer games have the power to take players from the real world and immerse them in a world of fantasy and imagination, where identity and accepted behaviours differ from reality. This is one of the most powerful aspects of games for learning, the way in which players can easily suspend disbelief and engage themselves in the game world. In this chapter I shall be discussing three aspects of this transformation to other worlds: first, the concept of the magic circle and its role in gaming; second, the nature of fantasy; and third, the use of narrative in games will be discussed and explored.