De-Centralising the Text: The Text-Paratext Relationship of Video Games

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    Abstract

    The aim of this chapter, and, by extension, of this collection, is to answer a question: Why are paratexts so important for video games? This chapter aims at doing so from a mainly theoretical perspective by delving deep into the roots of paratextual studies in general, its articulations and modifications in game studies, and analyses the complexities of the text–paratext relationship of video games. It addresses the relationship between the three core concepts found in the title of this work – history, paratexts, and games – and argues that (1) in and for video games, paratexts and paratextuality are very prominent and important, and (2) that their prominence and importance undermines any notion of a text–paratext hierarchy that has long been seen as valid, but which is more and more perceived as being arbitrary.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication(Not) In the Game
    Subtitle of host publicationHistory, Paratexts, and Games
    EditorsRegina Seiwald, Edwin Vollans
    Place of PublicationOldenbourg
    PublisherDe Gruyter Oldenbourg
    Pages15-31
    Number of pages17
    ISBN (Electronic)9783110732924
    ISBN (Print)9783110737691
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 21 Aug 2023

    Publication series

    NameVideo Games and the Humanities
    PublisherDe Gruyter Oldenbourg
    Volume13
    ISSN (Print)2700-0400
    ISSN (Electronic)2700-0419

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