Myötätuntoisia saattajia ja rauhallisia rituaaleja – Elämän lopun kohtaaminen kuolemapositiivisissa videopeleissä

Dying in digital games has often functioned as a functional and mechanical synonym for losing in the game, after which the game round starts over accompanied by a sanction. Death presented thematically and narratively, with a calm and compassionate approach, has received more attention in gaming culture in recent years. This article examines, through content-analytical gameplay readings, three digital games that depict death in their narratives with compassion. The games depict characters facing the end of life, whose actions the player can influence. The article makes observations about the games, particularly from the perspective of ritual theories, emphasizing the player's active role in dealing with death in games. The atmosphere of the games under review is compared to the concept of death positivity, where death, whether good or bad, is sought to be openly discussed in society. The games, in their own way, contribute especially to the contemplation of the ideal of a good death, emphasizing the connection between a compassionate guide and peaceful rituals.