This presentation builds on previous research relating to narrative state transitions and nemein-seeking behaviour by applying this context to the various narratives present within Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 fictional universe. By reference to Tzvetan Todorov’s theory of the minimum complete plot this presentation identifies and explores how narrative state transitions are managed within the 40k IP in reference to both the ongoing lore – developed through the Black Library fictional texts among multiple other outlets – but also in the commercial context, where the conclusion of narratives is managed, and at times avoided, in order to maintain the business practice of selling Citadel miniatures and regularly updating the IP to maintain interest in the product line. Fictional texts within the 40k universe advance a narrative in a specific manner by reference to these practices, including using the texts as marketing / advertising techniques, and by identifying the manner by which this takes place this presentation asks the question; should narratives be allowed to continue indefinitely, if only to perpetuate a business practice – and does this create a narrative universe and narrative methodology specific to the Games Workshop IPs?
Author bio
James Shelton is the Senior Research Administrator for Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), and his research centres on narrative state transitions predicated by nemein-seeking behaviour – in essence, the human desire for narratives that show characters receiving exactly what they deserve.
