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Article
Depictions of Female Protagonists in Digital Games: A Narrative Analysis of 2013 DICE Award-winning Digital Games
Games and Culture
  • Mildred F. Perreault, Appalachian State University
  • Gregory Pearson Perreault, Appalachian State University
  • Joy Jenkis, Missouri School of Journalism
  • Ariel Morrison, University of Southern Mississippi
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Keywords
  • The Last of Us,
  • Tomb Raider,
  • Beyond: Two Souls,
  • Bioshock Infinite,
  • Narrative Theory,
  • Digital Games,
  • Narrative,
  • Gender
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/1555412016679584
Abstract

Digital games historically hold a spotty record on gender depictions. The lack of depth in female characters has long been the norm; however, an increasing number of female protagonists are headlining games. This study used narrative theory to examine depictions of four female protagonists in four 2013 Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain Award-Winning Digital Games: The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, and Beyond: Two Souls. Studying these media depictions provides context for how women’s stories are recorded in society. Stereotype subversions largely occur within familiar game narratives, and the female protagonists were still largely limited and defined by male figures in the games.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Games and Culture, v. 13, issue 8, p. 843-860

Citation Information
Mildred F. Perreault, Gregory Pearson Perreault, Joy Jenkis and Ariel Morrison. "Depictions of Female Protagonists in Digital Games: A Narrative Analysis of 2013 DICE Award-winning Digital Games" Games and Culture Vol. 13 Iss. 8 (2016) p. 843 - 860
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mildred-perreault/14/