Film theorist Torben Grodal discusses immersion as part of our emotional response. That avatar body is how we understand the game - how we play.

Professor of film and media studies Bob Rehak describes embodiment: “Players experience games through the exclusive intermediary of another - the avatar - the ‘eyes,’ ‘ears’ and ‘body’ of which are components of a complex technological and psychological apparatus.” Theories of game bodies and avatars often focus on the psychology of projection and identity. Why do the ‘Resident Evil’ games make players so aware of the lead character Ethan’s damaged hands? (Shutterstock) Avatars and bodies Why do these games make us so aware of Ethan’s poor, damaged hands? He must pick up his hand, which appears in the inventory as “severed hand.” He heals by pouring medication over his hands, removing the damage and inexplicably reattaching severed limbs. In “Biohazard,” Ethan’s left hand is violently removed with a chainsaw and inexplicably reattached with staples and medication in “Village,” Ethan’s right hand is removed - after he has pulled hooks through his hands and had fingers bitten off. In raising his hand to check his health monitor in “Biohazard,” or in his interaction with doors, ladders and gates in “Village,” players are constantly aware of the damage. His hands are cut, stabbed, bitten, slashed and removed brutally, and both games keep the hands visible throughout gameplay. Hands showing painĮthan’s hands experience numerous traumas in the two games, paired with sound and voice acting that expresses pain and suffering. The games’ use of the first-person perspective builds the cultural and psychological projection, and helps players feel like they are part of the experience. In “Biohazard” and “Village,” players experience embodiment through Ethan’s hands, and in that experience, are encouraged to feel his trauma.

Resident evil video game series