Clemson University TigerPrints All Dissertations Dissertations 5-2016 Identity Design: Challenging Archetypes with Feminist Approaches to Video Game Design Lauren Woolbright Clemson University,
[email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations Recommended Citation Woolbright, Lauren, "Identity Design: Challenging Archetypes with Feminist Approaches to Video Game Design" (2016). All Dissertations. 1673. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/1673 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. IDENTITY DESIGN: CHALLENGING ARCHETYPES WITH FEMINIST APPROACHES TO VIDEO GAME DESIGN A Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design by Lauren Woolbright May 2016 Accepted by: Dr. Jan Rune Holmevik, Committee Chair Dr. Kimberly S. Manganelli Dr. Beth Ann Lauritis Dr. Andrew Hurley ABSTRACT Lack of diversity in video games and the mainstream games industry warrants an inclusive, feminist approach to game design. Producing a feminist video game as a core component of my dissertation will impact rhetorical, literary, game, and feminist studies, emphasizing the benefits of embracing electrate and playful modes of identity formation and pedagogy. ii DEDICATION To women of every gender playing and designing games, especially those facing discrimination in game spaces and gaming communities, I dedicate this work in hopes that our situation may see improvement every day. To my family, without whose constant affection this project could never have come into being.