What the end reveals : myths in post-‐apocalyptic videogames
(2016) KOVM12 20162Division 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:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9113807
- author
- Ryding, Karin
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- KOVM12 20162
- year
- 2016
- 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}}, }