Monstrosity in Games and Play : A Multidisciplinary Examination of the Monstrous in Contemporary Cultures.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stang, Sarah.

Contributor:

Meriläinen, Mikko.

Blom, Joleen.

Hassan, Lobna.

Series:

Games and Play Series

Games and Play Series ; v.11

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Monsters.

Monstrosity.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (295 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Amsterdam : Amsterdam University Press, 2025.

Summary:

Monsters fascinate us. From ancient folklore to contemporary digital games, they are at the core of the stories we tell. They reflect our fears, deepest desires, and the monstrosity hidden within ourselves. Monsters hold a mirror to our contemporary society and reveal who we truly are. This edited collection examines monsters and monstrosity in games and play. Monsters are a key feature of most games: we fight, kill, and eat them—and sometimes, we become them. However, monsters in games and play are not only entertaining but also a reflection of the monstrosity of our world. In this book, twenty-two scholars explore how themes such as mental health, colonialism, individualism, disability, gender, sexuality, racism, and exclusion are reflected in the monsters we interact with in games, play, and our daily lives both online and offline. Monstrosity in Games and Play is recommended to readers interested in the monstrous in contemporary game cultures and their surrounding societies.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I Monstrous Representations

1. “Honor Died on the Beach” : Constructing Japaneseness through Monstrosity in Ghost of Tsushima

2. For the Love of Monsters : Yōkai and Colonialism in Japanese Games

3. Translating Horrific History : Filipino Mythological and Folk Creatures, the Trauma of Colonial History, and the Limits of Nationalism in the Design and Narrative of Nightfall: Escape

4. Monster-Order Brides : Framing the Bride of Frankenstein Trope in The Wanderer, Fable II, and Dragon Age II

5. Beyond Women Monsters and Psychoanalytic Terrors : The Monstrous-Feminine and Horror Cinematic Tropes in The Evil Within 2

6. The Monstrosity of Stigma: Mental Health Representation in Video Games

7. Monstrosity as Neurodiversity and The Procedural Rhetoric of Psychosis in Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

Part II Monstrous Interpretations

8. Hidden Monsters: Conspiracy Aesthetics in Video Games

9. Performing Monstrosity in Twitch Chat

10. Games of Personal Horror: Shadow Work and Role-playing Experiences

11. The Presentation of Self in Everyday Virtual Murder : Commodified Monstrosity in Diablo III

12. Monstrous Academics

Complete References

Index

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-003-70003-9

1-04-079402-5

90-485-5663-5

9781003700036

OCLC:

1479627488