Virtual Suffering and Awakening of Subjectivity: A Biopolitical Analysis of Black Myth: Wukong
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Video games prioritize “fun” and “immersion”, yet suffering can disrupt play. Using phenomenology of emotion, this study examines Black Myth: Wukong as a case where suffering is integral to gameplay and narrative. It argues that suffering awakens player subjectivity, enabling resistance to algorithmic and biopolitical constraints. As mass art, video games harness suffering’s affective power to transform players from passive participants to active agents, revealing their potential for resistance.
Source: Philosophies
Authors: Shangyuan Li, Yan Li
Institution: Northeastern University
Language: English
Topic: Digital Games and Media
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,689
OpenAlex ID: W4416765344