Of mice and 𝘓𝘦𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 : ludic subjectivity and interface in a historical context

Abstract

Lemmings (1991) has a peculiar place in the history of video games. Produced by the Scottish company DMA Design, It was a massive critical and commercial hit at the time of its release, selling an estimated 15 million copies across various platforms (Dailly 2006). However, save for several sequels from the early to mid-1990s, it has had relatively little influence on subsequent games, especially compared to DMA Design’s later hit Grand Theft Auto (1997). It has likewise attracted very little attention in game studies, save for brief mentions such as by Pérez-Latorre (2013). This paper will argue that the game’s design was tied to a specific moment in the history of computer hardware and game industry practices, and that it presents a unique type of ludic subjectivity. The paper is based on secondary historical sources (especially published interviews and memoirs) and our analysis of the game.