An excellent, very long video essay that breaks down both the narrative and the gameplay mechanics of Civ V and how they reinforce and represent Imperialism. Mind you this is someone turning their...
An excellent, very long video essay that breaks down both the narrative and the gameplay mechanics of Civ V and how they reinforce and represent Imperialism.
Mind you this is someone turning their PhD thesis into a video essay. It's very good, but pretty technical from the POV of the humanities.
Sure, that's why it's a guilty pleasure, and that's generally true of strategy games. But at least it's abstract enough that you can kinda forget about what war meant for the people involved.
Sure, that's why it's a guilty pleasure, and that's generally true of strategy games. But at least it's abstract enough that you can kinda forget about what war meant for the people involved.
I think that's why he put the disclaimer at the front of the video about how he actually enjoys the game. A lot of people view this sort of content as an attack on what they're allowed to enjoy...
I think that's why he put the disclaimer at the front of the video about how he actually enjoys the game. A lot of people view this sort of content as an attack on what they're allowed to enjoy because the world has gotten pretty reactionary nowadays, especially if they get to code the person making the argument as an outsider. It's pretty funny how a major component of this video is the Othering that is the foundation of Imperialism is commited by gamers who feel attacked.
There is no way for Civ not to be imperialistic, I think everyone should be mildly aware of that. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a detailed breakdown of why it is so. That doesn't mean you're not allowed to enjoy it, it doesn't mean you're a bad person for enjoying it, it just means that the game is imperialistic. That's it.
Also, you’re allowed to think about imperialism, study imperialism, and play games about imperialism without being an imperialist. Playing Tomb Raider doesn’t make you an archaeologist either....
Also, you’re allowed to think about imperialism, study imperialism, and play games about imperialism without being an imperialist. Playing Tomb Raider doesn’t make you an archaeologist either. Playing Mario doesn’t make you a plumber.
I remember, I watched this guy's videos back at the same time I played Shadows of the Erdtree, and now I can't think about Elden Ring without thinking of his excellent postcolonial analysis (which...
I remember, I watched this guy's videos back at the same time I played Shadows of the Erdtree, and now I can't think about Elden Ring without thinking of his excellent postcolonial analysis (which captivated me to the point I was struggling to navigate, much less fight, at many points). He's the reason I can't go two sentences without saying "procedural rhetoric" nowadays. Really really excellent stuff, I recommend everyone watch it
An excellent, very long video essay that breaks down both the narrative and the gameplay mechanics of Civ V and how they reinforce and represent Imperialism.
Mind you this is someone turning their PhD thesis into a video essay. It's very good, but pretty technical from the POV of the humanities.
Sure, that's why it's a guilty pleasure, and that's generally true of strategy games. But at least it's abstract enough that you can kinda forget about what war meant for the people involved.
I think that's why he put the disclaimer at the front of the video about how he actually enjoys the game. A lot of people view this sort of content as an attack on what they're allowed to enjoy because the world has gotten pretty reactionary nowadays, especially if they get to code the person making the argument as an outsider. It's pretty funny how a major component of this video is the Othering that is the foundation of Imperialism is commited by gamers who feel attacked.
There is no way for Civ not to be imperialistic, I think everyone should be mildly aware of that. Nevertheless, I enjoyed a detailed breakdown of why it is so. That doesn't mean you're not allowed to enjoy it, it doesn't mean you're a bad person for enjoying it, it just means that the game is imperialistic. That's it.
Also, you’re allowed to think about imperialism, study imperialism, and play games about imperialism without being an imperialist. Playing Tomb Raider doesn’t make you an archaeologist either. Playing Mario doesn’t make you a plumber.
I remember, I watched this guy's videos back at the same time I played Shadows of the Erdtree, and now I can't think about Elden Ring without thinking of his excellent postcolonial analysis (which captivated me to the point I was struggling to navigate, much less fight, at many points). He's the reason I can't go two sentences without saying "procedural rhetoric" nowadays. Really really excellent stuff, I recommend everyone watch it
This is the first video I've seen of his and I'll give the others a watch for sure!
Are you sure it was the same guy? He only has five videos, and none about Elden Ring.
Yeah I watched them while playing Elden Ring. I'm saying it's a conflation
Ah, I understand. I was really excited to watch a longform multihour video about SotE and colonialism.