The three works explore narrative, aesthetic, and pop-cultural issues surrounding games in different ways. Their approaches range from playful, experimental forms to reflective examinations of media spaces, as well as references to digital culture and its narrative traditions.
The Elder Scrolls: Interactivity, Narrative, and Cultural Appropriation
The anthology „I used to be an adventurer like you ... Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf The Elder Scrolls“ (eds. Jacob Birken and Rudolf Inderst) focuses on the video game series *The Elder Scrolls*. It brings together 13 essays on narrative, gameplay, and cultural dimensions—ranging from agency and lore to reception—and positions the series as a central reference point in game studies.
LucasArts: Narrative, Technology, and Gaming Culture
Under the title „This is my Labyrinth, and you are mine. Forever. Die Spiele von LucasArts - eine interdisziplinäre Erforschung des Erbes der klassischen Adventures“, editors Rudolf Inderst and Manuel Stübecke offer insights into the adventure games of LucasArts: The book systematically situates works such as *The Secret of Monkey Island*, *Maniac Mansion*, and *Grim Fandango* within the field of game studies, analyzes key aspects such as narrative, technology, and gaming culture, and traces their influence through to contemporary formats and adaptations.
Elden Ring: Identity, Power, and Community
Elden Ring and its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, are the focus of a new anthology that, for the first time in the German-speaking world, offers a comprehensive game studies perspective on the open-world role-playing game. „Could this be a dog? Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf Elden Ring und Shadow of the Erdtree“ (eds.: Franziska Ascher / Rudolf Inderst / Pascal Marc Wagner) explores fragmented narration, worldbuilding, and questions of identity, power, and community dynamics to investigate the game’s enduring appeal.
