Taylor, Laurie. "“When Seams Fall Apart: Video Game Space and the Player."

From RhetorClick

Laurie Taylor, in her article “When Seams Fall Apart: Video Game Space and the Player,” suggests that there is way to understand the relationship between a player, the player character, and the screen through psychoanalysis. This psychoanalysis shows that identification begins by allowing the player to determine (or see) shared traits with the player-character and is cemented thereon by narcissism. This narcissistic relationship progresses into the player-character evolving from having shared traits with the player into being a part of the player. This is critical in allowing a player to transcend into the role of the player-character. As Taylor states, “without narcissistic projection, the player remains outside of the screen and can operate on the screen, but not from within the screen.” The idea of operating on the screen rather than inside of the screen implies that the easiest way to directly immerse a player into the video game reality is by allowing them to operate in first-person rather than third-person. The player goes through screen (via first or third person view) and narcissistically assumes the identity of the player-character, and my argument is that player customization eases the ability to go beyond just shared traits and gain created traits.