This blog is a reflection of Week 2 Lecture and my reading of Steven Shaviro on post-cinema affect. 

In the immersive universe of post-cinematic experiences, the video game Bloodborne is a very good example to start with. Developed by FromSoftware, this dark and atmospheric action role-playing game exemplifies the raw power of post-cinema affect, challenging traditional emotional engagement.

Affect Beyond Boundaries

Bloodborne ventures beyond the realms of conventional storytelling, delving into the depths of players’ emotions with unyielding intensity. The game’s visceral combat, haunting visuals, and melancholic soundtrack fuse seamlessly to evoke primal affects. Fear, exhilaration, and awe surge through players as they navigate the game’s nightmarish landscapes, surpassing the constraints of mere gameplay to tap into the core of human experience.

Pre-Personal Intensity

In the post-cinematic world, affect becomes a pre-personal force, bypassing linguistic boundaries and tapping into the immediacy of human sensation. Bloodborne achieves this by immersing players in a world where fear isn’t just an emotion; it’s a palpable, lingering presence. The heart races, and the skin prickles with the anticipation of the unknown. These pre-conscious intensities transform gameplay into an emotional odyssey, capturing players in a whirlwind of affective responses.

Transcending Traditional Narratives

Unlike traditional storytelling, Bloodborne doesn’t rely on explicit narratives to evoke emotions. Instead, it creates an environment where players feel emotions on an elemental level. The dread of encountering unknown horrors, the relief of overcoming insurmountable challenges, and the triumph of victory are all experienced viscerally. In this post-cinematic landscape, narrative takes a back seat, allowing affect to take the wheel and steer players through an emotional symphony.

Bloodborne reveals the potential of post-cinematic affect, reminding us that the power of storytelling lies not only in words and images but in the uncharted depths of our emotional responses. 

This is posted by Donghan Duan, BA Media and Communications.