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Horror Game Politics Method

Aug 23, 20244 min read

Pfister, E. (n.d.). How to analyse a Video game from a historical, source-critical perspective: The HGP-Method [Billet]. Horror - Game - Politics. Retrieved 17 September 2022, from https://hgp.hypotheses.org/1754

The HGP method is designed for the analysis of digital games from a historical perspective, focusing on how video games communicate political and ideological content. The method is inspired by the interdisciplinary approaches from game studies, history, and media criticism, and is structured around a detailed, multi-step process of analyzing games as cultural texts.

The method emphasizes understanding the political myths (Roland Barthes) embedded in video games—both overt and unconscious—and how these myths reflect contemporary historical and cultural contexts.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Source-Critical Approach: The method is based on historical source criticism, analyzing the origin, reliability, and context of the game as a cultural artifact.

  2. Tripartite Analytical Framework:

    • Production Analysis: Investigates the development process, the context in which the game was created, and external influences like the socio-political environment of the developers.
    • Product Analysis: Focuses on the game itself—story, audio-visual aesthetics, and game mechanics—analyzing how these elements combine to convey political or ideological messages.
    • Reception Analysis: Explores how the game was received by players and critics, focusing on the perception of its political and ideological content.

  3. Political Myths: The method identifies “political myths”—political or ideological messages that appear natural or self-evident. These myths are reproduced unconsciously by developers and players alike and require thorough analysis to uncover.

  4. Challenges in Analysis: The method acknowledges the inherent complexity of analyzing games, given their interactive nature and the diversity of experiences that arise from different gameplay approaches. It also notes the challenge of accessing primary sources, such as developer interviews or postmortems, due to industry confidentiality.

  5. Holistic Analysis: It involves multiple layers of analysis—story, gameplay, and visual design—considering how each element interacts with the others to communicate a cohesive political or ideological message.

A Guide to Applying the HGP Method

  1. Prepare Your Game Sample: Select a game or set of games that you want to analyze. Ensure the sample has enough diversity to explore different political myths and ideologies.

  2. Production Analysis:

    • Research the game’s development. Look for developer interviews, postmortems, and behind-the-scenes materials.
    • Investigate the socio-political background of the developers and the cultural context during the game’s creation.
    • Consider external influences such as funding, technology, and audience expectations that might have shaped the game’s content.

  3. Product Analysis:

    • Break down the game into three core components:
      • Story: Analyze the narrative, characters, dialogues, and overall plot.
      • Audio-Visual Aesthetics: Examine the game’s visual design, use of colors, sound, and music.
      • Game Mechanics: Study how players interact with the game (combat systems, puzzles, ethical choices) and how these mechanics reinforce or contradict the game’s narrative.
    • Pay attention to the ideological messages conveyed through gameplay mechanics. For example, does the game encourage violence, and if so, how does it reconcile this with its story?

  4. Reception Analysis:

    • Research reviews, forum discussions, and social media reactions to understand how players and critics perceive the game’s political and ideological content.
    • Identify any patterns in the way different cultural or linguistic groups interpret the game.

  5. Catalog Myths:

    • Identify recurring political myths in the game. These could be familiar themes like “collapse of democracy” or “deviant mother figure.”
    • Trace the historical origins of these myths, and explore how they are adapted in the game’s context.

  6. Document Your Findings:

    • Take thorough notes during gameplay, focusing on key moments that reveal political or ideological subtext.
    • Use a combination of player diaries, screenshots, and additional media (e.g., Let’s Play videos, wikis) to document your analysis.

  7. Repeat and Refine:

    • Play the game multiple times if necessary to ensure thorough analysis.
    • Compare your findings across multiple games to identify larger patterns or variations in political messaging across the genre or medium.

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