Queer and Transmedia: Analysis of The Last of Us Videogame and TV Series
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Abstract
Digitalization and convergence environment in a transmedial context allow to expand fiction narrative universes across different media. This is the case of videogames and TV Series, which is the focus of academic attention of this comparative analysis, especially from the social representation of LGBT collective perspective. The main objective of this research is to determine the presence and representation of queerness in The Last of Us universe. This fiction has been selected due to its popularity and acceptance, so that this fiction is considered as a paradigmatic case in this sense. Since a qualitative approach textual analysis is applied in order to compare the representation of two homosexual partners in both format: Bill and Frank, and Ellie and Rydley. Findings show a queer presence inside the fiction universe, especially in the TV Serie. There are some constrains and stereotypes in the original videogame regarding the male plot too. In spite of this, there is a positive inclusion and the acceptance is a fact, which have a beneficial effect over the identification of LGBT community in media, and the recognition of the general society. Therefore, it strengthens the role of media as socialization tools.
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Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
Grant numbers PID2021-124434NB-I00
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