The world of video games has always been a mirror, reflecting societal norms, beliefs, and aspirations. But what happens when fans, armed with tools of virtual photography and online platforms, start to shape the narrative? The answer lies in the evolving representation of video game heroes, particularly in characters like Aloy from the Horizon series.
Aloy isn’t just a protagonist in a post-apocalyptic action RPG game. She’s a symbol, a canvas upon which fans paint their interpretations, aspirations, and critiques as they embody her character through gameplay. Some fans go beyond this, engaging in virtual photography, fan fiction, and fan art, to reshape Aloy’s character, giving birth to what I term as a ‘nonhuman online persona’. This persona is an assemblage, a collective creation that goes beyond the game’s narrative, influenced heavily by participatory online fan cultures.
But why does this matter? Because it challenges traditional notions of heroism. The representation of heroes in popular culture, especially in video games, plays a pivotal role in how we perceive heroism in the real world. Aloy’s character, and her evolving online persona, offers a fresh perspective, queering traditional heroic traits and emphasising the collective dimension of online personas.
Curious to know more? Dive deep into this topic with my virtual conference presentation, where I unpack the nuances, challenges, and implications of this evolution.