Genre and Video Games - Fantasy

We are seeking short chapters of approximately 2500-2700 words for an edited collection on literary genres in video games. We invite submissions for the “fantasy” category of the collection.  

The collection fits into an ongoing genre studies series and will examine how literary genres function in video games, thereby bringing video games into the existing literary canon of genre studies. Each subsection will explore key themes in the existing canon while expanding on the interactive elements of video games that update and/or alter existing conversations about genre. The essays will be educational and accessible in nature with the aim of producing a comprehensive teaching companion for future courses in game studies, game development, or the digital humanities.

We invite proposals that explore a range of topics and games that investigate the function of the fantasy genre and how interactive gameworlds extend or change that function. 

Chapters in the fantasy category might discuss:

• The Prominence of Fantasy Games and Nostalgia

• Fantasy Race and Colonization 

• Non-Western Fantasy

• Resource-Gathering and Digital Landscapes

• Pseudo-Medievalism in Fantasy Game Worlds 

Games that might be considered (but are not limited to):

• Dragon Age series

• The Witcher series

• Elder Scrolls series (Skyrim, etc.)

• Baldur’s Gate and other Dungeons & Dragons inspired titles

• Non-Western aesthetic titles (Prince of Persia series, Okami, Journey) 

Particular interest will be paid to chapter proposals that decenter Western perspectives on the genre and/or focus on titles that step away from Western fantasy aesthetics. Please submit an abstract of 250-300 words alongside a brief (100 word) bio to genreandvideogames@gmail.com by the date below.

Abstract due by: August 31, 2024

Prospective draft due date: December 15, 2024