The beliefs and narratives spun by the ancients continue to inspire today. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a timeless tale dealing with the quest for immortality. The poetic language may be difficult for some to grasp. But the core of the story is no different from that of Superman. Gilgamesh is a great man battling against devious monsters to ensure his people’s future.
Modern audiences are particularly gripped by an underdog hero who overcomes trials in order to achieve a goal. The notion might seem like a modern invention. But the seeds of it can clearly be seen in the story of Herakles’ Twelve Labors. The plot frames the hero as a physical powerhouse to be sure. But throughout the journey he is the social underdog.
The growing popularity of anime has also introduced modern audiences to stories where a hero born with great power fights against the forces of evil in order to achieve a personal goal. Much of the tropes that we see in Asian storytelling today are derived from the seminal Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” The mythic storytelling is still very much present in modern media, including video games.
Mythology in Gaming
The influence of myth is present in all forms of gaming. It is not just the big-budget titles that can get away with incredible graphic and art design that incorporate mythic themes. The modern iGaming professionals have also been inspired by the stories of the Twelve Gods who sit upon Olympus’ peak, judging the mortals beneath. We can clearly see that with the Gates of Olympus slot game. The gods of the Ancient Greeks are masterfully depicted in this stunning slot game.
The iGaming industry’s rise to prominence is obvious. Pokies are generating billions of dollars annually after all. But the truth of the matter is that most people’s primary interest in gaming stops and ends with Triple A titles. There is no more prominent a game inspired by mythology than the God of War franchise. The story takes Kratos on a vengeful rampage, as he desecrates the Greek pantheon. The game would receive a sequel duology years later where the once raging God of War has found peace in the throes of Asgard. But the Nordic Gods are not content with letting the proud warrior be.
The technological advancements of the century have allowed plenty of small companies to release games that match the triple A titles both visually and mechanically. Such is the case with Supergiant Studio’s Hades duology. The original title follows the son of the God of the Dead on a journey to escape the underworld and meet up with his mother. The sequel sees his sister rampage through the underworld in an attempt to free her father from the newly-resurrected titans. Both games are visually stunning and mechanically rich. They’ve quickly become fan favorites for many modern gamers.
Why Myth Inspires Gaming
Most modern players understand that mythology plays a huge role in inspiring game developers. But the interesting question goes unanswered. Why does myth play such a pivotal role in modern gaming culture? There are those who would say that these stories are timeless tales that speak to the truth of the human condition. They also form the bedrock of storytelling. Most great authors throughout history have been inspired by the legends of Herakles and Gilgamesh.
One of the quotes that lays the foundation of modern literary analysis is that all modern fiction is in some way a retelling of Homer. The quote is apocryphal and largely a simplification. But there is certainly truth to be found within. The themes of love and honor that persist in modern storytelling all have their roots in The Iliad and the Odyssey. We would also like to put forward our own theory about why myth-based games are so much more popular today than ever before.
The times we live in are uncertain and stressful. Most of us are busy dealing with the stress of everyday life. Some of us are doing our best to reduce that stress through money management or other straightforward and efficient ways. But that is precisely why we want our entertainment to be simpler than ever. The stories of ancient gods and heroes hide within them tapestries describing the human experience. But they are also widely known and widely read. That familiarity is why we view these stories as so simple and straightforward. It is also why so many of us are drawn to them, especially in such uncertain times as we live in.
Which Mythology Thrives in Gaming Most?
One can certainly tell that the most popular myths that modern game developers draw from are those preserved from Ancient Greece. We’ve mentioned the Olympian gods on more than one occasion in this text. Their presence is ubiquitous in popular culture these days. But gaming seems particularly fascinated with the idea of mortal men facing off against those inhuman beings. The idea likely stems from the aforementioned God of War series. The Spartan Kratos takes down the titular God of War in the first installment. Only later do we learn that Kratos himself is the demi-god son of Zeus.
The Ancient Greeks are not the only ones who told timeless tales. Norse mythology has experienced a new wave of popularity. But the Poetic and Prose Eddas that serve as primary sources for Asgardian tales are unique in their own way. They were written in the late Medieval periods by Snorri Sturluson. His own beliefs greatly influenced these tales which we can now interpret in our own unique way. We also would be remiss if we did not bring up the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The films centered on Thor have almost certainly played a role in reviving interest in Norse Mythology.
Anime’s growing popularity has also introduced Eastern tales to a Western audience. The myths present in Shinto and Buddhism are unique and quite distinct from what westerners may be familiar with. But they non-the-less manage to engross a modern audience. The battle between the Japanese god of the storm and the eight-headed serpent also shows us that ancient stories tackle universal themes of good overcoming evil.