Postmodernism

Postmodernism is an artistic and literary movement that is ambiguously defined and describes various narrative and meta-narrative techniques. Among these are self-awareness, pastiche, explicit/implicit manipulation of the fourth wall, and other practices that acknowledge or take advantage of the relationship between the video game and the player.

Notable examples of postmodernism in video games include the Portal series (postmodern narratives), the Stanley Parable (communicating with the player), the No More Heroes series (pastiche, gameplay designs that are critical of the player), Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (gameplay mechanics simulating console malfunction), and Alan Wake (self-awareness, manipulation of the fourth wall).