im-not-a-protagonist

[im-not-a-protagonist]

Artist Statement:

This project explores the role of companion non-playable characters within video games. The main focus is on companion robot, B-12 of Stray; however, three other video games and their relative companion NPCs are tied into the particular storyline told through this blog.

While I could have gone a variety of ways in addressing the sometimes inherent emotional attachment players may feel towards these companion NPCs, I believed it may be best to simply just provoke those emotions again through another narrative in which they play a role. I felt a blog that can be read as one's own collection of thoughts would best help the reader assume their own role within the story - rather than feeling disconnected from the events happening.

My goal is for this narrative to inspire one to think more critically about the role of these companion NPCs, and what effect they may have that makes them so vital to a large variety of video games.

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[7:37 pm]

No one back in my world even knows what I just did and experienced. It's just me and this heavy weight on my chest that I think is called "emotions."

I'm sure if I explained it all to someone, they'd think I'm crazy. A "found family" of sorts because of one homework assignment? Ha, people don't get attached that quickly (I did).

End

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[3:03 pm]

That was the weirdest assignment of my life and it hardly taught me anything about attachment theory- wait.

What did he mean, "return to my world"? I don't want to do that. My friends are here. This city has fun neon lights and inhabitants who look nothing like me and also lots of toxic goo that stopped being scary about three hours ago and I don't want to leave any of that!

Not to mention, the professor didn't even mention anything about B-12, Agro, or my reassurance bucket. Why'd he make it seem like I completed the assignment alone?? That's my gang, that's my...

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

"Congratulations on finding the cube which exemplifies companionship. This cube is very easy to get attached to, it is best if I take it off your hands and hide it so I can send a later student on another goose chase for my own pleasure. You get an 'A' for this assignment. You may return back to your world by reentering your house alone."

Thanks, B-12

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[3:01 pm]

Just made it back to my psychology professor. You all would not be able to guess what he told me upon turning the companion cube over to him: "i3quzb616g e4yw7f8qmd 0xks"

To be fair, I wouldn't have guessed that, either.

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[1:30 pm]

Reintroducing my gang of misfits (me (a human), B-12 (a comparatively tiny robot amidst the rest of them in the city), my reassurance bucket (it doesn't need a soul to be part of the gang. This bucket is doing more than enough), a companion cube (it's WEIGHTED!), and Agro (though he's gone now, and the weight of that is probably more than the companion cube))

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[1:28 pm]

This is the companion cube, by the way...WHY IS IT SO PERFECT. I DIDN'T WANT TO LOVE IT AS MUCH AS I DO

Next

[1:27 pm]

OKAY WE WERE REALLY CLOSE AFTER ALL

I FOUND THE COMPANION CUBE I DID MY HOMEWORK

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[1:27 pm]

OKAY WE WERE REALLY CLOSE AFTER ALL

I FOUND THE COMPANION CUBE I DID MY HOMEWORK

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[1:24 pm]

Okay wait we must actually be getting close this is crazy. I'm starting to feel oddly comforted in an entirely different way than typical of my reassurance bucket

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[1:19 pm]

We got down from the rooftops...we're going on foot, now.

The city feels more isolating and cold than ever. I'm pretty sure the only thing keeping me sane now is having B-12 to talk to and the faint feeling of hope I somehow feel (so, we're either getting closer to achieving my goal or it's just the bucket doing it's thing)

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

Thanks, Bucket

[im-not-a-protagonist]

"He was the best horse. Agro may be gone but his memory lives on in all of us. We have to press on, he would want us to."

Thanks, B-12.

Any words you want to share, Bucket?

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[12:58 pm]

Okay I'm- I'm not unstoppable. No, I'm feeling very stoppable.

B-12 was giving me a hint as to where the companion cube was because he's the smartest out of us all but- but the jump from where we were to the next rooftop in the direction we needed to go was too big and Agro- Agro...

He sacrificed himself and threw me over to make sure I would make the jump. I uh- my horse is gone. I didn't want my horse to be gone.

Some comfort?

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[12:32 pm]

My takeaways? I'm gonna find this companion cube and then be unstoppable 😎

Next

[im-not-a-protagonist]

"Those with secure attachments - meaning their caregivers exhibited dependable behavior and thus, provoke joy when reconnected - tend to perform better in school and experience less depression."

Thanks, B-12

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[12:30 pm]

Wait, B-12...what exactly IS the purpose of finding the companion cube? All I have in my notes is "o1qz1zqog1"

Next

[12:27 pm]

AGRO AND I (AND THE REASSURANCE BUCKET) ARE JUMPING FROM ROOFTOP TO ROOFTOP THIS IS THE COOLEST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT I HAVE EVER DONE

B-12 is also here, but a robot that can fly doesn't necessarily jump from rooftop to rooftop...

[im-not-a-protagonist]

[12:28 pm]

Oh wait- homework. I kinda forgot the whole point of doing all this was to find a companion cube...

Okay, maybe Agro and I (and the reassurance bucket) will jump from rooftop to rooftop with PURPOSE now

Next

[12:27 pm]

AGRO AND I (AND THE REASSURANCE BUCKET) ARE JUMPING FROM ROOFTOP TO ROOFTOP THIS IS THE COOLEST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT I HAVE EVER DONE

B-12 is also here, but a robot that can fly doesn't necessarily jump from rooftop to rooftop...