Bungacast /485/ Can Games Teach Us Agency? ft. Pawel Kaczmarski
May 6, 2025
Pawel Kaczmarski, a literary critic and expert in modern Polish literature, dives into the transformative potential of video games alongside hosts George and Alex. They explore how games like Helldivers 2 aim to teach agency but ultimately miss the mark. The conversation shifts to the upcoming elections in Poland, reflecting on voter disillusionment and political rhetoric. Kaczmarski also critiques the current state of both video game and literary criticism, questioning their relevance and engagement in today's cultural landscape.
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Active Participation in Games
- Video games promise a more active participatory role than traditional passive media like books or movies.
- This active involvement creates a powerful sense of immersion unique to the gaming medium.
Limits of Literary Theory on Games
- Postmodern literary theory struggles to grasp video games because it already treats literature as a game.
- Games uniquely combine active participation with narrative in ways traditional forms cannot.
Video Games Influence Culture
- Video games are becoming a common cultural vocabulary influencing mainstream media like films.
- More creatives who grew up playing games naturally incorporate gaming tropes and structures.
