Was Nebenfiguren über die Realität erzählen

Martin Zeilinger

Was Nebenfiguren über die Realität erzählen

Translated title of the contribution: What secondary characters tell about reality

Martin Zeilinger

Department of Games and Arts

Research output: Non-textual form › Web publication/site

Abstract

Side characters, referred to in video games as ‘non-playable characters,’ make virtual worlds appear lifelike. Although their routines often run in the background and have no direct influence on the plot, the "work" they do is essential to the functioning of the game world, writes cultural theorist Martin Zeilinger in a guest article. Their silent, repetitive work opens up a critical view of real working conditions.

Translated title of the contribution	What secondary characters tell about reality
Original language	German
Publisher	Österreichischer Rundfunk
Media of output	Online
Publication status	Published - 10 Nov 2025

Keywords

Game studies
Video games
NPCs
Labour
Cultural studies

Access to Document

https://science.orf.at/stories/3232779/

Cite this

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AB - Side characters, referred to in video games as ‘non-playable characters,’ make virtual worlds appear lifelike. Although their routines often run in the background and have no direct influence on the plot, the "work" they do is essential to the functioning of the game world, writes cultural theorist Martin Zeilinger in a guest article. Their silent, repetitive work opens up a critical view of real working conditions.

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PB - Österreichischer Rundfunk

ER -

Was Nebenfiguren über die Realität erzählen

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this