Challenging Heroic Narratives of Polar Exploration in Indie Video Games

80 Days and South of the Circle feature storylines in which polar expeditions are not represented as places for unfolding heroized journeys; instead, their protagonists confronted with limits agency. In contrast to common pop cultural representations that turn exploration into a tale individual white European men emerging triumphant over harsh nature, both video games question emphasize importance cooperation survival. The playable characters, French valet Jean Passepartout British climatologist Peter Hamilton Circle, embark on journeys Arctic Antarctica, respectively, high hopes heroic discovery soon dashed by harshness environments. As games’ plots progress, critique imperialist-expansionist impetus past emerges through way representation explorers addresses questions masculinity, nation.