Why Isn’t “Comedy” A Videogame Genre?

A manic exploration of the elusive interactive comedy genre, and how interactivity renders its unique flavours. This essay dabbles with isolated plot points and general vibes of Disco Elysium, Undertale, The Stanley Parable, Portal 2 & Hypnospace Outlaw. As such I don't think there are really any memorable / comprehensible spoilers - unless you're part way through one... But if you’re especially careful, keep your eyes peeled : ) P.S - Director’s Cut coming soon as I’ve learned a lot since writing this 5 months prior and there’s so much I wish I could add… Patreon 🙈 https://www.patreon.com/NaterWilliams... Inspired by Jacob Geller, Daryl Talks Games, and many others of similar ilk! Harry’s Horrific Necktie https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHfYlvG No Pun Intended (TLOU Joke Book) https://amzn.eu/d/0e2AsdRo “You Dried” Towel https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/45055... -- Chapters -- 0:00 Intro 1:55 Psychology of Humour 8:01 Disco Elysium 31:08 Undertale 40:08 The Stanley Parable 53:55 Other People 1:02:58 Absurdity & Abstraction 1:09:05 Case Studies 01:19:29 Comparing Mediums #videoessay #gamingessay #gamedesign #videogamecritique