Abstract

In contrast to many theorists in the growing field of videogame theory who point out the strong ‘apparatus’ nature of the player-videogame interface (an ultra-hypodermic experience; a cybernetic loop), this paper will foreground the active and non-immersive nature of the gamespace. Film theorists tended (ultimately under the influence of Althusser ) to posit a passive identification with the filmspace. This already suspect one-to-one relation has been uncritically imported into videogame theory where, conversely, we argue that identity-problematisation, undecidability and play are the crucial opportunities offered by this new medium.