The Gunning Man: Science Fiction in the Videogames of Eugene Jarvis

Wade, Alex (2022) The Gunning Man: Science Fiction in the Videogames of Eugene Jarvis. Science Fiction Film and Television, 15 (1). pp. 61-79. ISSN 1754-3770

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Abstract

This paper examines the links and influences between the videogames of Eugene Jarvis and science fiction. Using Edwards’ ‘closed world’ theoretical framework, this paper establishes the previously overlooked link between science fiction and the development of the early pre-commercial videogames. This link is extended to Eugene Jarvis’s videogames, many of which are viewed as some of the most influential in the history of the medium. It is found that themes common to 1980s science fiction of improbable odds, hostile environments and media and consumer saturation also run through Jarvis’s titles. The net result is the ‘gunning man’, a character borne of Cold War, closed world, discourses who fights to defend the vestiges of humanity in a world of out-of-control technology.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.3828/sfftv.2022.5
Dates:	Date Event 10 March 2021 Accepted 17 February 2022 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1980s videogames, Eugene Jarvis, 1980s sf films, histories of videogames, Cold War
Subjects:	CAH15 - social sciences > CAH15-01 - sociology, social policy and anthropology > CAH15-01-02 - sociology CAH24 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01 - media, journalism and communications > CAH24-01-05 - media studies
Divisions:	Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences > Centre for Study of Practice and Culture in Education (C-SPACE)
Depositing User:	Alex Wade
Date Deposited:	04 Feb 2022 09:23
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2022 03:00
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11265

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