Game Studies Study Buddies 80 – Grand Theft Hamlet
Mar 31, 2025
The hosts celebrate their 80th milestone with humorous anecdotes, including tales of a mischievous cat. They delve into the fascinating crossover of Shakespeare and video games, particularly looking at 'Grand Theft Hamlet' and 'Grand Theft Auto V.' Their discussion explores the impact of modern adaptations on traditional storytelling and the evolving role of narratives in gaming. They also critique a gaming documentary, balancing its flaws with redeeming qualities, while reflecting on the dynamic nature of storytelling in both digital and theatrical spaces.
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Hamlet in GTA Online
- Grand Theft Hamlet is a documentary about actors staging Hamlet within Grand Theft Auto Online during COVID lockdowns.
- The entire film is captured inside the game, showing the unique constraints and interactions of this digital theater.
Shakespeare as a Platform
- Shakespeare acts as a platform for conveying deeper messages, similar to how Grand Theft Auto serves as a platform here.
- Hamlet's theme of delay and mortification of will parallels the challenges faced by performers within the game environment.
Digital Immersive Theater
- The performance unfolds like immersive theater, guiding audience members through multiple in-game locations.
- This non-traditional staging leverages the digital environment to create a unique theatrical experience.