Understanding Hopepunk Games: Combining Theories of Hope,Hauntology,and Utopia

Abstract

This paper introduces a theoretical framework for understanding “hopepunk games” by combining hauntological attitudes and utopian approaches, offering a grounded conceptualization of its core traits. By drawing together theories from hauntology and utopia as method, the framework synthesizes them into core concepts that engage and mirror each other. This produces prompts for analyzing hopepunk games both conceptually and practically. The approach clarifies that kindness and care aren't substitutes for political struggle but are embedded in a dual practice. It prevents hopepunk from complacency or mere critique, repositioning it as a lived stance that fosters action, solidarity, and transformative collective efforts. It offers a theoretically grounded, analytically attentive, and practically useful account of hopepunk.

Keywords

games hopepunk hauntology utopia as method hope

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