Not-So-Sacred Quests: Religion, Intertextuality and Ethics in Video Games
While many video games are replete with religious images and intertextuality, the role and purpose of religion and religious intertextuality in video games has not been extensively examined. In this article, I list some occurrences of religion in a variety of video game genres and reflect on the fun...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Equinox Publ.
2010
|
| In: |
Religious studies and theology
Year: 2010, Volume: 29, Issue: 2, Pages: 191-213 |
| Further subjects: | B
Ethics
B Intertextuality B The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion B Video Games B Religion |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | While many video games are replete with religious images and intertextuality, the role and purpose of religion and religious intertextuality in video games has not been extensively examined. In this article, I list some occurrences of religion in a variety of video game genres and reflect on the functions religion and religious intertextuality perform in video games. I then proceed to closely play a video game, Bethesda Softworks The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, to examine the roles religion plays in one video game. I conclude that religion in video games operates in a multitude of ways. The most intriguing role it plays is cultural critique as it challenges the close player to reflect on her/his identity and attitudes by demanding the player to ethically evaluate her/his actions in the game world and how they relate to the real world. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1747-5414 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Religious studies and theology
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1558/rsth.v29i2.191 |