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What the end reveals : myths in post-­‐apocalyptic videogames

Ryding, Karin (2016) KOVM12 20162
Division of Art History and Visual Studies
Abstract (Swedish)
The focus of this thesis is the myths and ideologies inscribed into the aesthetics, narratives and gameplay of post-apocalyptic videogames. The aim is to discuss how the conditions and conventions of the game medium shape what is presented to us as a modern, secular form of apocalypticism. The case studies presented are the two well-known videogames Fallout 4 and The Last Of Us. The research focuses on three elements that these games have in common 1) the representations of a post-apocalyptic landscape, 2) the representations of monstrous humans, and 3) the representations of the survivor protagonist. The method used is a variation of Barthesian semiological analysis in which a selection of screenshots from the two games are scrutinised... (More)
The focus of this thesis is the myths and ideologies inscribed into the aesthetics, narratives and gameplay of post-apocalyptic videogames. The aim is to discuss how the conditions and conventions of the game medium shape what is presented to us as a modern, secular form of apocalypticism. The case studies presented are the two well-known videogames Fallout 4 and The Last Of Us. The research focuses on three elements that these games have in common 1) the representations of a post-apocalyptic landscape, 2) the representations of monstrous humans, and 3) the representations of the survivor protagonist. The method used is a variation of Barthesian semiological analysis in which a selection of screenshots from the two games are scrutinised and compared. The result of this analysis reveals deep ambiguities manifested and dealt with through these games, exemplified by the liminal, apocalyptic state of a crumbling society giving rise to curious exploration, fun and play. Monstrous, zombie-like
humans are represented as dehumanised antagonists with half-naked, deformed bodies that merge the feeling of repulsion, fear and desire into a justified call for violence. The ambiguous survivor identity is reshaped into the masculine protector role, in itself protecting both the protagonists, and the players themselves, from any criminal identity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ryding, Karin
supervisor
organization
course
KOVM12 20162
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Apocalypse, videogames, myths, abjection, violence
language
English
id
9113807
date added to LUP
2023-04-27 12:26:30
date last changed
2023-04-27 12:26:30
@misc{9113807,
  abstract     = {{The focus of this thesis is the myths and ideologies inscribed into the aesthetics, narratives and gameplay of post-apocalyptic videogames. The aim is to discuss how the conditions and conventions of the game medium shape what is presented to us as a modern, secular form of apocalypticism. The case studies presented are the two well-known videogames Fallout 4 and The Last Of Us. The research focuses on three elements that these games have in common 1) the representations of a post-apocalyptic landscape, 2) the representations of monstrous humans, and 3) the representations of the survivor protagonist. The method used is a variation of Barthesian semiological analysis in which a selection of screenshots from the two games are scrutinised and compared. The result of this analysis reveals deep ambiguities manifested and dealt with through these games, exemplified by the liminal, apocalyptic state of a crumbling society giving rise to curious exploration, fun and play. Monstrous, zombie-like
humans are represented as dehumanised antagonists with half-naked, deformed bodies that merge the feeling of repulsion, fear and desire into a justified call for violence. The ambiguous survivor identity is reshaped into the masculine protector role, in itself protecting both the protagonists, and the players themselves, from any criminal identity.}},
  author       = {{Ryding, Karin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{What the end reveals : myths in post-­‐apocalyptic videogames}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}