{"product_id":"9783032251145","title":"Maiden, Mother, and Crone Female Monstrosity in Video Games","description":"\u003ch3\u003ePalgrave Studies in Mediating Kinship, Representation, and Difference\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch1\u003eMaiden, Mother, and Crone\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFemale Monstrosity in Video Games\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSarah Stang\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eSocial Science \/ Gender Studies\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp class=\"x_elementtoproof\"\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eThis book examines how the design of female monsters in science fiction and fantasy roleplaying games positions women’s bodies and behaviors as transgressive, horrific, and threatening. Engaging with established feminist theories related to nonhumanness, transgression, female embodiment, and the horrific, this book unpacks the misogyny embedded in interactive entertainment media and technology in overt, subtle, and intersectional ways. Specifically, utilizing a close reading methodology employing visual and textual analysis of visual design, narrative role, developer commentary, and player reception, this book provides a thorough critical examination of female monsters such as the succubus, siren, broodmother, banshee, harpy, hag, and crone in several games.\u003c\/span\u003eThrough a focus on the archetypes of “maiden,” “mother,” and “crone,” this work reveals how games promote misogynistic beliefs via the design of female monsters related to sexualization and seduction, maternity and pregnancy, and old age and disability; position transgressive women as enemies to be fought and slain by heterosexual male protagonists; and remediate sexist tropes and assumptions that are deeply embedded in mythology, popular culture, the game industry, and gaming culture. In its exploration of the relationship between technology, difference, gender, and monstrosity, this book contributes to feminist media scholarship by highlighting a key problematic in game design that has remained largely unexplored in scholarly and critical writing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eSarah \u003cspan class=\"markmrhmtfxaa\" data-markjs=\"true\" data-ogac=\"\" data-ogab=\"\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-ogsb=\"\"\u003eStang\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eis Associate Professor of Game Studies in the Department of Digital Humanities at Brock University, Canada, and is on the board of reviewers for \u003cem\u003eGame Studies \u003c\/em\u003eand the advisory board for \u003cem\u003eEludamos\u003c\/em\u003e. Her research primarily focuses on questions of identity and representation in digital games. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e09 July 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpringer Nature Switzerland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePalgrave Macmillan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9783032251145\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage Count: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e312\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Springer Nature Switzerland","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46919630684300,"sku":"9783032251145","price":125.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/9545\/1788\/files\/9783032251145.jpg?v=1780599807","url":"https:\/\/fh90cf-fv.myshopify.com\/products\/9783032251145","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}