New Thesis Abstract. March 2010

Religion, a very global phenomenon, can take many unfamiliar forms. One of those forms is the mystical Carribbean practice of Vodoun, melded together from Catholicism, West African mysticism and Native American religion. The tenets of the religion are often misunderstood and have led to such misconceptions of Vodoun practitioners as merely vectors for the black magic that they're engrossed in.

NEW ABSTRACT

ONE LINER (Take one of these and make it a zinger):

Ritual and rites of passage reflect the importance of the community through the expression and reinforcement of shared values. Would a person have a greater understanding of a practice if they were able to interact in it's social space? If a person were able to "play" through the ritual, learning the importance of the rite in a social and cultural setting, would they gain more appreciation for the diversity of belief in the world?

Bokor is a adventure game that explores the rich narrative opportunity of Vodoun practice, addressing rituals and potential spiritual power within Haitian communities in order to discover new social commentary through the metaphor of creating a zombie. This game is targeted toward gamers who are specifically interested in new interactive experience that provides valuable information about culture, society and religion.