Madame Butterfly Video Game

Creativity is most applicable when there are no boundaries and the thought process remains limitless.  A great exercise to test creativity and grow further is to compare two things that are  of completely opposite realms, and finding a connection between the two. In watching the opera, Madame Butterfly, which was written in 1904, it is quite a challenge to distinguish a connection to modern day activities or interests if it is viewed with a closed mind. While operas may have been a hit around a century ago, they are not as popular anymore, so it is necessary to search for general connections that take place.

Although it was written many years ago, the version that I watched was fairly recent. The mis en scene had a strong effect on the perception for a modern day viewer. It took place in a very modern atmosphere, which helps assist in making a connection. It was performed in a formal theatre, yet the stage set up included a modern flair. This was shocking since the background knowledge and previous perception of opera that most probably carry, is for the stage set up to match the style of singing which is complex and elegant. The backdrop that covered the entirety of the stage, as well as the ground, set the stage to exemplify the storyline. The lighting was particularly interesting in the sense that it was used in a minimalistic manner, until the last act where it was used to the extreme. The usage of lighting in this way created a sense of depth to highlight the part that needed greater meaning. In creating a video game out of this opera, it would be effective to implicate the same qualities shown in the opera. By having a modern twist and making it aesthetically pleasing, viewers may want to interact with it more.

One of the things that I noticed while watching this opera is the style in which the performers communicate during an opera. The performers do not talk, but instead, sing all of their words. The factor that sets opera apart from any of the other types of performances, in fact, is the style of communication. For example, operas stand apart from even musicals because in musicals they talk in parts and then break out into songs. I think it would be effective to have the game set up in a way to where players are able to communicate with other gamers via internet connection while playing the game. Having the game include interactive elements by the users having to sing instead of talk, similar to how opera is done, would create a sense of humor and uniqueness from other games.

Considering the explicitness of the opera, which was very little, it would have to be converted to match the expectations of today’s culture in order to keep interest. In today’s culture, it is not as mind boggling to see something with extreme content in a performance or show, etc. So to have people become attracted to it, I think it would have to be played up. This could be done through camera angles, and actually showing some of the competitive elements or content that happened in the opera.

The game would be based on the aspect of love from the opera. So the objective would consist of attempting to win many levels to win the ultimate prize, who would be Butterfly. For the first ten levels, the challenges would take place in the water, doing sea excursions, since her husband left her to go to sea in the opera. Many people would be playing against one another, so it is a race of having many other men trying to catch her, with another force of drive to not be intercepted by her husband. Whoever wins the first ten levels will gain access to the vip level, then has to engage in more obstacles to win the ultimate prize.  

 My reasoning behind doing the game in this way is because culture and the way of thinking has changed since this opera was first created. I think by having the same kind of idea incorporated, yet putting a spin on the relationship side of it, would be a better outcome. I am putting Butterfly in a position to where she has the upper hand and it is the man trying to win the levels so that he can ultimately have her. This could act as a social movement as well because it shows that women should not wait around on any man like butterfly did in the opera, because if you rely on someone else for your happiness then you will never be happy.