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<p>This article examines the representation of mental health issues in the computer role-playing game <italic>Disco Elysium</italic> by using Albert Camus’ theory of the absurd as a basis. Through his daily work routine as a detective, the protagonist Harry DuBois’ trauma unfolds through the course of the game while simultaneously revealing the psychosocial aspects of trauma. Interpreting Harry’s existential struggles as those of an absurd hero supports the idea that finding (greater) meaning is not a necessity when coping with trauma.</p>
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This article examines the representation of mental health issues in the computer role-playing game Disco Elysium by using Albert Camus’ theory of the absurd as a basis. Through his daily work routine as a detective, the protagonist Harry DuBois’ trauma unfolds through the course of the game while simultaneously revealing the psychosocial aspects of trauma. Interpreting Harry’s existential struggles as those of an absurd hero supports the idea that finding (greater) meaning is not a necessity when coping with trauma.

“Making Sense in a Senseless World”: <italic>Disco Elysium</italic>’s Absurd Hero

Baltic Screen Media Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

“Making Sense in a Senseless World”: ’s Absurd Hero

This article examines the representation of mental health issues in the computer role-playing game Disco Elysium by using Albert Camus’ theory of the absurd as...

“Making Sense in a Senseless World”: Disco Elysium’s Absurd Hero

Published Online: Dec 14, 2021

Page range: 80 - 89

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/bsmr-2021-0008

© 2021 Thomas Spies, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.