Cozy Heterotopias in JRPGs: A Foucauldian Perspective on the Spatiality of Coziness in Japanese Role-Playing Games

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/2391-8551.11.07

Keywords:

cozy games, heterotopia, Japanese role-playing games, game studies

Abstract

This article applies the concept of heterotopia as developed by Michel Foucault to cozy aesthetics in JRPGs. After introducing the concept of heterotopia and its six key principles, the term JRPG is briefly reflected upon. We then analyze key aspects of the games Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and Final Fantasy VII Remake regarding the significance of heterotopias for their sense of coziness. We conclude that Foucault’s concept of heterotopia helps in understanding the way in which coziness, on the one hand, offers a respite from the crises of life while, on the other hand, enabling an engagement with said crises in a safe environment.

Author Biographies

Stefan H. Simond, Philipps University of Marburg

is a game studies scholar at the Institute of Media Studies at Philipps University Marburg, Germany. He wrote his Ph.D. dissertation on the construction of madness in video games. His current research focus is Japanese video game culture and cozy aesthetics in video games.

Tobias Klös, Heidelberg University of Education

(MA) is an educational scientist and works on digital education for sustainable development at the Heidelberg University of Education. He is currently finalizing his dissertation in the field of organizational education for sustainable development.

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Published

2024-05-27

How to Cite

Simond, S. H., & Klös, T. (2024). Cozy Heterotopias in JRPGs: A Foucauldian Perspective on the Spatiality of Coziness in Japanese Role-Playing Games. Replay. The Polish Journal of Game Studies, 11(1), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.18778/2391-8551.11.07

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Articles

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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