Mythic narratives of video-game players in online forums

Abstract

Video games have demonstrated a profound connection with mythic structures. This connection can be examined through player interactions in online forums, where mythic elements may emerge and be reinterpreted in user commentary. This study explores whether fans perceive and discuss, on Steam forums, the classical and contemporary mythic structures embedded in the video games they engage with and whether they are linked with their own day-to-day experiences. Through a qualitative analysis of forum posts, this article seeks to identify common themes and trends in how players interpret and engage with mythical elements in games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Death Stranding, Gone Home and Detroit: Become Human . The findings reveal that players often draw from a diverse range of mythologies to make sense of video-game narratives, while also generating their unique mythic interpretations.