Inhabiting Other Bodies – Animal Characters and Avatars
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18778/2391-8551.10.04Keywords:
animal studies, phenomenology, animal games, avatar, PC, game studies, embodimentAbstract
This article explores the significance of phenomenological perspectives for animal games, as defined by Gunnar Eggertsson, in which the player’s character is meant to signal an animal. Using examples from games like Stray, Shelter 2, and Endling – Extinction is Forever, which treat animals as fully-fledged protagonists, I demonstrate how animal characters and avatars affect the gaming experience and broader human-animal relations outside of gameplay. The goal of this inquiry is to understand whether games can bring us closer to a better understanding of the animal Other by simulating its experiences and perspectives. This study utilizes the perspectives of critical animal studies and phenomenological philosophy to provide a deeper description and understanding of human players’ interactions with animal characters. It emphasizes the role of embodiment in shaping a transformative gameplay experience.
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