Jogos eletrônicos e as memórias do fim do mundo: reflexões sobre The Last of Us

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate how the concept of cultural memory is set in the universe of electronic games. For this, we chose to discuss post-apocalyptic contexts, a theme commonly found in various productions regarding games and cinema. Based on this theme, we analyzed the game The Last of Us, released in 2013 originally for the console PlayStation 3. Based on the discussion of myths about the end of the world in some moments of history, a mapping of the unfolding of the post-apocalyptic urban imaginary representation is developed with the focus on Western societies, including cultural production about the subject. We also address some forms of memory manifestation that help us think about the concept of cultural memory. With this investigation, we try to verify which elements of the post-apocalyptic universe appear in the electronic game, how the question of the end of the world myth is worked on in this medium and how it helps in the construction of a cultural memory associated with a post-apocalyptic scenario.