The Gunning Man: Science Fiction in the Videogames of Eugene Jarvis

This paper examines the links and influences between the videogames of Eugene Jarvis and science fiction. Using Edwards? ?closed world? theoretical framework, this paper establishes the previously overlooked link between science fiction and the development of the early pre-commercial videogames. This link is extended to Eugene Jarvis?s videogames, many of which are viewed as some of the most influential in the history of the medium. It is found that themes common to 1980s science fiction of improbable odds, hostile environments and media and consumer saturation also run through Jarvis?s titles. The net result is the ?gunning man?, a character borne of Cold War, closed world, discourses who fights to defend the vestiges of humanity in a world of out-of-control technology.