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A study on the genre conventions of game fantasy web novels

  • Journal of Popular Narrative
  • 2024, 30(3), pp.183-213
  • DOI : 10.18856/jpn.2024.30.3.006
  • Publisher : The Association of Popular Narrative
  • Research Area : Interdisciplinary Studies > Interdisciplinary Research
  • Received : August 29, 2024
  • Accepted : October 18, 2024
  • Published : October 31, 2024

Moon Eun Hye 1

1경성대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In this article, we will examine why the achievement subjects in game fantasy voluntarily continue grinding play by dividing them into layers of game, fantasy, and web novel elements. Thus, we will examine whether the achievement subjects revealed in game fantasy ultimately fulfill their purpose by serving the ideology of capitalism, or whether they can function as counter-subjects that can reveal other cracks and resistance. In game fantasy, the achievement subjects continue grinding play voluntarily and passionately. The achievement subjects, who experience the joy of success (growth) through obtaining items and leveling up with clear goals and clear procedures, the sense of belonging and stability that comes from being socially connected, and the epic of doing meaningful work with a sense of game and daily life, continue to grind play enthusiastically amidst a dual reality that embraces fantasy over reality. Game Fantasy reproduced this charm of happiness with ‘game elements such as status, quest, and level-up, and fantasy elements such as the overlap of the worldviews of the real world and the virtual world.’ Additionally, to progress the ‘Crisis-Resolution-Crisis’ pattern within the short span of a single chapter, the sincere Munchkin protagonist was born. The Munchkin protagonist displays surprising sincerity and kindness, which lives up to readers' expectations and desires. When a diligent and virtuous character achieves victory through hard work and leveling up, readers experience vicarious satisfaction. The protagonists of game fantasy have numerous narratives and implications. They are not only obsessed with the illusion of capital. They also recognize that they are exploited as playbor. They prepare to broadcast playbor without the power of the empire, with the power of the multitude, cracking at the edges, transforming it into another content. This article has research significance in that it clearly clarifies the genre conventions of game fantasy and discovers the potential for achievement subjects to function as counter-subjects that can reveal cracks and resistance.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.