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Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games
In: Preserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean. Zagreb: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), 2023. pp. 371-377. urn:nbn:hr:146:419638
Barišić, Ilija

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Barišić, I. (2023). A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games. Preserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean (pp. 371-377). Zagreb: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU). Retrieved from https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:146:419638

Barišić, Ilija. "A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games." Preserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean, Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), 2023, pp. 371-377. https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:146:419638

Barišić, Ilija. "A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games." In Preserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean, 371-377. Zagreb: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), 2023. Accessed 2025 April 01. https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:146:419638

Barišić, I. (2023) 'A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games', Preserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean, Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), Zagreb, pp. 371-377. Available at: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:146:419638 (Accessed 01 April 2025)

Barišić I. A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games. Preserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean. Zagreb: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU); 2023. Pp. 371-377. [cited 2025 April 01] Available at: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:146:419638

I. Barišić, "A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games", Preserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean Zagreb: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), 2023. [Online] Available at: https://urn.nsk.hr/urn:nbn:hr:146:419638 [Accessed: 01 April 2025]

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Metadata
Title (english)A Semantic/Syntactic Approach to Horror Video Games
AuthorIlija Barišić
Author's institutionVERN University
Scientific / art field,
discipline and subdiscipline		SOCIAL SCIENCES
Information and Communication Sciences
Abstract (english)
This paper examines how different kinds of video games fit into the horror genre. By applying Rick Altman’s semantic/syntactic genre theory to horror video games, this paper will argue that some of those video games are horrors solely on surface level semantics, e.g., looming atmosphere, low key lighting, scary creatures and monsters, blood and gore, etc. However, those games are not horror on the syntax level if they fail to inspire fear into players through gameplay. Games usually succeed in priming players to be scared by putting them in a passive, vulnerable position. Therefore, games (or game franchises) which give players too much power and control and put them in an offensive position, like Diablo or Castlevania, should rather be considered as role-playing games or platform-adventure games with a horror theme. Thus, this paper proposes a clearer distinction between genre and theme when describing video games.
Keywords (english)
Languageenglish
Publication typeScientific paper - Original scientific paper
Publication statusPublished
Peer reviewPeer review - international
Publication versionPublished version
Publication titlePreserving, Evaluating and Developing the Mediterranean
Series titleMediterranean Issues
Numberingvol. 4, pp. 371-377
ISBN978-953-8404-20-7 (Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar)
ISBN978-953-8101-12-0 (VERN' University)
URN:NBNurn:nbn:hr:146:419638
Publication2023
ConferenceTitle: Mediterranean Islands Conference
Acronym: MIC
Location: Vis, Croatia
Start date: 2022-09-14
End date: 2022-09-17
Assembly type: Lecture
Type of resourceText
PublisherInstitute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar; VERN' University; Scientific Council for Anthropological Research, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU)
Publishing placeZagreb
Access conditionsOpen access
Terms of useLicence In copyright icon
Created on2025-04-01 07:43:30