An unauthorized look behind one of the greatest video game franchises of all time, Final Fantasy The Final Fantasy universe is packed with compelling characters and incredible storylines. In this book, you'll take a fascinating look at the deeper issues that Final Fantasy forces players to think about while trying to battle their way to the next level, such as: Does Cloud really exist (or should we really care)? Is Kefka really insane? Are Moogles part of a socialist conspiracy? Does the end of the game justify the means? As Mages, Moogles, fiends, and Kefka are mashed together with the likes of Machiavelli, Marx, Foucault, and Kafka, you'll delve into crucial topics such as madness, nihilism, environmental ethics, Shintoism, the purpose of life, and much more. Examines the philosophical issues behind one of the world's oldest and most popular video-game series Offers new perspectives on Final Fantasy characters and themes Gives you a psychological advantage--or at least a philosophical one--against your Final Fantasy enemies Allows you to apply the wisdom of centuries of philosophy to any game in the series, including Final Fantasy XIII Guaranteed to add a new dimension to your understanding of the Final Fantasy universe, this book is the ultimate companion to the ultimate video-game series.

UNVEILING FINAL FANTASY: FROM LIMIT BREAKS TO SUMMONS: A DEEP DIVE INTO THE THEMES, SYMBOLISM AND PSYCHOLOGICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF THE ICONIC VIDEOGAME FRANCHISE Final Fantasy has captivated gamers for over three decades with its intricate storylines, captivating characters, and stunning visuals. But did you know that Final Fantasy is much more than just a game? In "Unveiling Final Fantasy: From Limit Breaks To Summons: A Deep Dive Into The Themes, Symbolism And Psychological Underpinnings Of The Iconic Videogame Franchise," we explore the many layers of meaning within the series and discover why it has become such an important cultural touchstone. CONTENT (40 CHAPTERS) The Enigmatic World Of Final Fantasy The Psychology Of Protagonists: Cloud, Squall, And Beyond The Philosophy Of Villains: Sephiroth, Kefka, And The Nature Of Evil Symbolism And Mythology In Final Fantasy: An Overview The Psychology Of Dreams: Final Fantasy Vii And Freudian Theory Fantasy And Reality: Final Fantasy X And The Philosophy Of Religion The Psychology Of Friendship: Final Fantasy Xv And Attachment Theory The Power Of Music: Final Fantasy Vi And The Psychology Of Sound Symbolism In Final Fantasy Viii: The Lion, The Witch, And The Garden The Philosophy Of Time: Final Fantasy Xiii And Temporal Paradoxes The Psychology Of Loss: Final Fantasy Iv And The Stages Of Grief Representation In Final Fantasy: Gender, Race, And Disability Philosophical Themes In Final Fantasy: Existentialism, Nihilism, And Absurdism The Psychology Of Magic: Final Fantasy Ix And The Collective Unconscious Comparing Final Fantasy To Philosophical Theories: Stoicism, Epicureanism, And Cynicism The Evolution Of Final Fantasy: From I To Xv The Influence Of Final Fantasy On Video Game Culture And Psychology The Significance Of Final Fantasy's Soundtracks: A Musical Analysis The Future Of Final Fantasy: The Psychology Of Innovation And Fan Expectations Final Fantasy's Enduring Legacy And Its Relevance To Philosophy And Psychology The Role Of Mythology In Final Fantasy: A Comparative Analysis Dreams And Reality In Final Fantasy Xii: A Jungian Interpretation Love And Attachment In Final Fantasy Ix: A Study Of Interpersonal Relationships The Ethics Of War In Final Fantasy Tactics: A Critical Examination Cultural Appropriation In Final Fantasy: A Critical Look At Orientalism And Exoticism Final Fantasy And The Hero's Journey: A Comparative Study Of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth The Politics Of Final Fantasy: An Analysis Of Power And Authority In The Games The Use Of Color In Final Fantasy: A Semiotic Analysis The Final Fantasy Fan Community: A Psychological Study Of Fandom And Identity The Philosophy Of Hope In Final Fantasy Xv: A Study Of Existential Optimism Final Fantasy And Postmodernism: An Exploration Of The Games' Narrative Structures Transcendence And Spirituality In Final Fantasy X: A Comparative Analysis Of Eastern And Western Traditions Final Fantasy And The Gender Spectrum: A Study Of Non-Binary Representation In The Games The Evolution Of Final Fantasy Music: From Chiptunes To Orchestras The Final Fantasy Aesthetic: A Study Of Art Direction And Visual Design The Role Of Monsters In Final Fantasy: A Comparative Analysis Of Folklore And Mythology Final Fantasy And The Mind-Body Problem: A Philosophical Exploration And much more in this 40 chapter publication!

An in-depth look at the philosophical issues behind HBO's Game of Thrones television series and the books that inspired it George R.R. Martin's New York Times bestselling epic fantasy book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, and the HBO television show adapted from it, have earned critical acclaim and inspired fanatic devotion. This book delves into the many philosophical questions that arise in this complex, character-driven series, including: Is it right for a "good" king to usurp the throne of a "bad" one and murder his family? How far should you go to protect your family and its secrets? In a fantasy universe with medieval mores and ethics, can female characters reflect modern feminist ideals? Timed for the premiere of the second season of the HBO Game of Thrones series Gives new perspectives on the characters, storylines, and themes of Game of Thrones Draws on great philosophers from ancient Greece to modern America to explore intriguing topics such as the strange creatures of Westeros, the incestuous relationship of Jaime and Cersei Lannister, and what the kings of Westeros can show us about virtue and honor (or the lack thereof) as they play their game of thrones Essential reading for fans, Game of Thrones and Philosophy will enrich your experience of your favorite medieval fantasy series.

Final Fantasy VII altered the course of video game history when it was released in 1997 on Sony's PlayStation system. It converted the Japanese role-playing game into an international gaming standard with enhanced gameplay, spectacular cutscenes and a vast narrative involving an iconic cast. In the decades after its release, the Final Fantasy VII franchise has grown to encompass a number of video game sequels, prequels, a feature-length film, a novel and a multi-volume remake series. This volume, the first edited collection of essays devoted only to the world of Final Fantasy VII, blends scholarly rigor with fan passion in order to identify the elements that keep Final Fantasy VII current and exciting for players. Some essays specifically address the game's perennially relevant themes and scenarios, ranging from environmental consciousness to economic inequity and posthumanism. Others examine the mechanisms used to immerse the player or to improve the narrative. Finally, there are several essays devoted specifically to the game's legacy, from its influence on later games to its characters' many crossovers and cameos.

Would our world be a better place if some of us were benders? Can Katara repair the world through care? Is Toph a disability pride icon? What does it mean for Zuko to be bad at being good? Can we tell whether uncle Iroh is a fool or a sage? The world is out of sorts. The four nations, Water, Earth, Fire, and Air, are imbalanced because of the unrelenting conquest of the Fire Nation. The only one who can restore balance to the world is the Avatar. On the face of it, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a story about a lone superhero. However, saving the world is a team effort, embodied in Team Avatar, aka the Gaang. Aang needs help from his friends and tutors, even from non-human animals. Through the teachings of Guru Pathik and Huu he comes to realize that though the world and its nations seem separate, we are all one people. We all have the same roots and we are all branches of the same tree. Avatar: The Last Airbender and Philosophy brings to the fore the Eastern, Western, and Indigenous philosophies that are implicit in the show. Following Uncle Iroh’s advice that it is important to draw wisdom from many traditions, this volume features contributions by experts on Buddhist, Daoist, Confucian, and Indigenous schools of thought, next to focusing on Western classical authors such as Plotinus, Kant, and Merleau-Ponty. The volume is also unique in drawing on less common traditions such as black abolitionism, anarchism, and the philosophy of martial arts. Intertwining experience and reflection, ATLA and Philosophy helps readers to deeply engage with today’s burning questions, such as how to deal with ecological destruction, the aftermath of colonialism and genocide, and wealth inequality, using the tools from a wide range of philosophical traditions.

Japanese Role-playing Games: Genre, Representation, and Liminality in the JRPG examines the origins, boundaries, and transnational effects of the genre, addressing significant formal elements as well as narrative themes, character construction, and player involvement. Contributors from Japan, Europe, North America, and Australia employ a variety of theoretical approaches to analyze popular game series and individual titles, introducing an English-speaking audience to Japanese video game scholarship while also extending postcolonial and philosophical readings to the Japanese game text. In a three-pronged approach, the collection uses these analyses to look at genre, representation, and liminality, engaging with a multitude of concepts including stereotypes, intersectionality, and the political and social effects of JRPGs on players and industry conventions. Broadly, this collection considers JRPGs as networked systems, including evolved iterations of MMORPGs and card collecting “social games” for mobile devices. Scholars of media studies, game studies, Asian studies, and Japanese culture will find this book particularly useful.

"Here in the Just City you will become your best selves. You will learn and grow and strive to be excellent." Created as an experiment by the time-traveling goddess Pallas Athene, the Just City is a planned community, populated by over ten thousand children and a few hundred adult teachers from all eras of history, along with some handy robots from the far human future—all set down together on a Mediterranean island in the distant past. The student Simmea, born an Egyptian farmer's daughter sometime between 500 and 1000 A.D, is a brilliant child, eager for knowledge, ready to strive to be her best self. The teacher Maia was once Ethel, a young Victorian lady of much learning and few prospects, who prayed to Pallas Athene in an unguarded moment during a trip to Rome—and, in an instant, found herself in the Just City with grey-eyed Athene standing unmistakably before her. Meanwhile, Apollo—stunned by the realization that there are things mortals understand better than he does—has arranged to live a human life, and has come to the City as one of the children. He knows his true identity, and conceals it from his peers. For this lifetime, he is prone to all the troubles of being human. Then, a few years in, Sokrates arrives—the same Sokrates recorded by Plato himself—to ask all the troublesome questions you would expect. What happens next is a tale only the brilliant Jo Walton could tell. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.