Player vs. Monster: The Making and Breaking of Videogame Monstrosity by Jaroslav Švelch (review).

Jaroslav Švelch's study on videogame monstrosity explores the prominence of monsters in gaming and how gaming has influenced our perception of monsters. The study examines various angles, including strands of monster research, a canon of game monsters, art historical and media historical trends in monster design, and games that challenge the dominant model of the monster killer. Švelch argues that fictional creatures should not be reduced to expendable obstacles and stereotypes. While the study neglects the technical genesis of gaming, it highlights the importance of understanding monsters as coping mechanisms and draws attention to the rich traditions of folklore and art forms that contribute to our fantasies. [Extracted from the article]