Abstract:
This thesis applies Linda Williams’ film theory of body genres across media to video games, resolving the similarities between filmic genres (horror and melodrama) with their game counterparts. Williams’ theory is fleshed out to establish genre conventions, while also proposing that the audience’s own feelings of empathy area driving force behind corporeal engagement. The theory is then expanded beyond the three initial theories proposed by Williams (pornography, horror, and melodrama), to include both ‘zombie’ and ‘superhero’ genre texts.
