Video game analysis began with a debate between narratologists and ludologists. They debated whether video games should be analysed using narrative theories or strictly as video games. This debate concluded that a hybrid approach should be used, analysing video games with theories from both fields. Since then, many new theories have been developed for the analysis of the narrativity of video games. This thesis will compare the novel Metro 2033 (Metro 2033A) with the video game of the same name, Metro 2033 (Metro 2033B) and analyse how different narrative elements co-exist in the two media, and how narrative elements function together to achieve flow, or immersion, in the experiences of readers and players. Kari Salen and Eric Zimmerman introduced the concept of embedded and emergent narrative, which this thesis will employ for its analysis. It will also use Martin Picard’s notion of segmentation to discuss the design of Metro 2033B and to compare the game to the novel Metro 2033A. The thesis finds that segmentation is of great importance for immersion and it argues that the successful combination of narrative elements relies on seamless segmentation. Furthermore, the thesis points to the importance of merging different narrative elements to create an immersive experience.

Keywords: Metro 2033, narrative, ludology, video games, segmentation, immersion