Parallels and Interactions between Videogames and Literature: Analyzing Harlan Ellison’s I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream

Abstract Many people argue that stories can be experienced by audiences through very specific mediums such as films or books. This paper will diverge from the beaten track and introduce its readers to the contemporary and interactive medium of videogames, hopefully establishing it as a form of art...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: George Vasilikaris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: School of English, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece 2019-12-01
Series:Ex-centric Narratives: Journal of Anglophone Literature, Culture and Media
Online Access:http://ejournals.lib.auth.gr/ExCentric/article/view/7197
Description
Summary:Abstract Many people argue that stories can be experienced by audiences through very specific mediums such as films or books. This paper will diverge from the beaten track and introduce its readers to the contemporary and interactive medium of videogames, hopefully establishing it as a form of art in their consciousness. In an attempt to prove the academic, as well as philosophical, value of videogames; this paper will compare Harlan Ellison’s award winning short story I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream (1967) with its 1995 videogame adaptation, in terms of plot, characters, narrative and the ability to convey feelings. Last but not least, we will analyse the hidden philosophy of videogames, shedding light on the different ways they can be “read” and the conflict that rages on about it, but more importantly answer the fundamental question: “Why do we play videogames?”
ISSN:2585-3538