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MONOMYTH AND HERO’S IMAGE TRANSFORMATION IN VIDEOGAMES

Ekaterina Galanina, A. Vetushinskiy

First published: 2018https://doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2018/2.2/S09.069View metrics

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the philosophical research of videogames as a phenomenon of modern culture. The subject for study is myth and mythological structures in videogames. Videogames represent value and meaning related constructions of the modern époque. However, they fulfill mythological elements inherent to the archaic consciousness at the same time because the archaic story of the hero’s way consisting of the three basic stages – exodus, initiation, and returning along with the appearance of the hero’s image in videogames monomyth (J. Campbell) that becomes the basic narrative structure. The purpose of writing this paper is studying formation and transformation protagonist’s image and monomyth in videogames on the example of Metal Gear Solid. In this paper we study the representation of monomyth in videogames and the transformation of the hero’s image that is connected with the deeper image work out in modern videogames that leads to a sort of “democratization” of the hero phenomenon. Heroes of the past are being left behind, videogames are moving to the post-heroic époque that coincides with the transfer from escapism to post-escapism.

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Publication details

Title
MONOMYTH AND HERO’S IMAGE TRANSFORMATION IN VIDEOGAMES
Authors
Ekaterina Galanina, A. Vetushinskiy
Proceedings
5th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference on Social Sciences and Arts SGEM 2018
Publisher
STEF92 Technology
Year
2018
Pages
547-554
SWS Citekey
Galanina20189547554
ISSN
2367-5659
ISBN
978-619-7408-53-9
Language
en
Publication type
Proceedings Paper
Proceedings contents
Open official contents
Keywords
game studiesvideogamemythmonomythhero
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