Dying in the Game : A Perceptive of Life, Death and Rebirth Through World of Warcraft
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
What does it feel like to die in a video game? Not just the feeling of seeing your avatar die and resurrect in front of you on the screen, but how does it feel to deal with death in a game when you are facing a life threating disease in the real world? How can one experience the various aspects of life, with a focus on death, rebirth or resurrection, through a game and the player s avatar? These are several of the questions which will be explored in this essay based on the author s own personal experience. Through her diagnosis and subsequent treatments for cancer, the author played the MMORPG World of Warcraft. Originally played for fun, after her diagnosis, the game took on a new role. Along with Tahara, her shaman troll, the author experienced the game as a reflection of life, death, and rebirth. The game became less a distraction and more of a way to learn how to deal with her illness and her ultimate fear of death. Through this connection between herself and her avatar she gained a better understanding of not only dealing with death, but life.
Subjects
gamevironments
;
World of Warcraft
;
cancer
;
illness
;
death
;
dying
;
life
Institution
Type
journal article
Journal/Edited collection
gamevironments
Band
9
Start page
265
End page
276
Secondary publication
No
Language
German
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00106981-1.pdf
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2.92 MB
Format
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