L’interpellation vidéoludique : idéologie et conscience critique à partir du jeu Celeste

In this article, we will seek to better understand the place of ideology in video games from the perspective of the relationship it has with players. To do this, we will firstly rely on the theory of ideology established by Louis Althusser to think of video games as ideological devices that challenge players who are subjected to the game worlds in which they are called upon to take their place. This discussion will lead into an analysis of the concepts developed by Jean-Jacques Lecercle who proposed an important update of Althusser's theses on ideology and in particular his concept of interpellation. We will then determine the specificities of interpellation through video games in ways that are not only subjugating, but also empowering as they are likely to operate a passage from false consciousness to critical consciousness. We will conclude this article with a presentation and analysis of the videogame Celeste.