“You Won’t Even Know Who You Are Anymore”: Bakthinian Polyphony and the Challenge to the Ludic Subject in <i>Disco Elysium</i>

Abstract When approaches to the notion of ‘self’ as it exists in game have been discussed studies – for instance, through work existential ludology or discussions agency question, explicitly implicitly, has tended be rational, stable, unified and coherent self humanist tradition. By fracturing ludic subject into a set contrasting conflicting voices, each with their own apparent motivations goals, Disco Elysium presents challenge this singular understanding selfhood. That is situated within representation figure who, at face value, seems represent very locus authoritative, self-possessed subjectivity humanism not only straight, middle-aged white man, but also police colonial authority strengthens game’s critical slant. Drawing on theories virtual subjectivity, paper will approach focus undermining stable unitary subjectivity. First, considered relation tradition film noir, way genre both established subverted detective avatar authoritative masculine Next, its treatment theme amnesia considered, drawing parallel Jayemanne’s (2017) reading Planescape: Torment examine how loss memory creates structures discontinuity rupture represented self. Finally, Bakhtinian notions polyphony invoked address plurality different voices (as usually present) dialogue between individual subjects single, fragmented