Player vs. Monster: The Making and Breaking of Video Game Monstrosity
A study of the gruesome game characters we love to beat—and what they tell us about ourselves.
Since the early days of video games, monsters have played pivotal roles as dangers to be avoided, level bosses to be defeated, or targets to be destroyed for extra points. But why is the figure of the monster so important in gaming, and how have video games come to shape our culture’s conceptions of monstrosity? To answer these questions, Player vs. Monster explores the past half-century of monsters in games, from the dragons of early tabletop role-playing games and the pixelated aliens of Space Invaders to the malformed mutants of The Last of Us and the bizarre beasts of Bloodborne, and reveals the common threads among them.
Covering examples from aliens to zombies, Jaroslav Švelch explores the art of monster design and traces its influences from mythology, visual arts, popular culture, and tabletop role-playing games. At the same time, he shows that video games follow the Cold War–era notion of clearly defined, calculable enemies, portraying monsters as figures that are irredeemably evil yet invariably vulnerable to defeat. He explains the appeal of such simplistic video game monsters, but also explores how the medium could evolve to present more nuanced depictions of monstrosity.
- 📱 PDF Format: Enjoy the convenience of our books in PDF format, compatible with various devices.
- 📚 Kindle Edition: Dive into your favorite reads with Kindle-compatible editions for seamless e-reading.
- ⚡ Instant Download: Experience instant gratification – start reading right after placing your order.
- 🌐 Global Access: Explore our vast collection from anywhere in the world, unlocking literary treasures.
- 📌 Easy Navigation: Navigate effortlessly through our user-friendly interface for a smooth shopping experience.
- 📆 Regular Updates: Stay in the loop with new releases, exclusive offers, and literary events. Join us on a literary journey!
- 💸 Affordable Prices: Indulge your love for reading without breaking the bank. Enjoy high-quality books at budget-friendly prices. Happy reading! 📚✨