Digital Games and the Category of Auteur: An Intersectional Approach

Digital games are collaborative endeavors, yet poststructural theory’s deconstruction of the auteur concept overlooks its potential. This study proposes reformulating the auteur category to empower non-Western and non-heteronormative female developers. The auteur concept, currently seen as serving Western, white, heterosexual male interests, can be pivotal in subjectifying diverse developers and teams.
Through examining works of Muriel Tramis, Elizabeth LaPensée, Christine Love, and Meg Jayanth, this research illustrates benefits of designating these individuals as female auteurs. Using an intersectional framework, the author argues that the auteur category is crucial for protecting rights of women and sexual minorities in gaming. These developers represent their communities, regardless of their specific roles. The study posits that integrating digital games and auteur theory can benefit underrepresented groups. It contributes to discussions on authorship in digital media, diversity in game development, and the intersection of identity and creative expression in gaming.

Filip Jankowski is a post-doctoral fellow in the Institute of Audiovisual Arts at the Jagiellonian University. His articles, focusing on the game history and theory, were published in journals such as Games and Culture, Game Studies, and Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds.