Ryan Lizardi is associate professor of digital media and humanities at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

A scholar of digital media and humanities, Lizardi distinguishes existential science fiction from existentialism in science fiction. Though he engages with existentialist philosophers, the emphasis is on narratives highlighting broad questions of human existence and identity rather than conflict with antagonists…. [T]he author is convincing in arguing that media have increasingly explored existential questions. Recommended… Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students.

• PrefaceChapter 1: Early Existential Science FictionChapter 2: Modern Existential Science FictionChapter 3: Gravity, Ad Astra, and Generational ConnectionsChapter 4: Interstellar, Arrival, and Continuity of IdentityChapter 5: Annihilation and Refraction of IdentityChapter 6: Legion and Fractured IdentityChapter 7: Westworld and the Embellished RemakeChapter 8: Assassin’s Creed, Bioshock, and Alternative HistoriesChapter 9: Interactive Existential Science FictionConcluding RemarksBibliographyAbout the Author

Ryan Lizardi is associate professor of digital media and humanities at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

A scholar of digital media and humanities, Lizardi distinguishes existential science fiction from existentialism in science fiction. Though he engages with existentialist philosophers, the emphasis is on narratives highlighting broad questions of human existence and identity rather than conflict with antagonists…. [T]he author is convincing in arguing that media have increasingly explored existential questions. Recommended… Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students.

• PrefaceChapter 1: Early Existential Science FictionChapter 2: Modern Existential Science FictionChapter 3: Gravity, Ad Astra, and Generational ConnectionsChapter 4: Interstellar, Arrival, and Continuity of IdentityChapter 5: Annihilation and Refraction of IdentityChapter 6: Legion and Fractured IdentityChapter 7: Westworld and the Embellished RemakeChapter 8: Assassin’s Creed, Bioshock, and Alternative HistoriesChapter 9: Interactive Existential Science FictionConcluding RemarksBibliographyAbout the Author

Ryan Lizardi is associate professor of digital media and humanities at SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

A scholar of digital media and humanities, Lizardi distinguishes existential science fiction from existentialism in science fiction. Though he engages with existentialist philosophers, the emphasis is on narratives highlighting broad questions of human existence and identity rather than conflict with antagonists…. [T]he author is convincing in arguing that media have increasingly explored existential questions. Recommended… Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students.

• PrefaceChapter 1: Early Existential Science FictionChapter 2: Modern Existential Science FictionChapter 3: Gravity, Ad Astra, and Generational ConnectionsChapter 4: Interstellar, Arrival, and Continuity of IdentityChapter 5: Annihilation and Refraction of IdentityChapter 6: Legion and Fractured IdentityChapter 7: Westworld and the Embellished RemakeChapter 8: Assassin’s Creed, Bioshock, and Alternative HistoriesChapter 9: Interactive Existential Science FictionConcluding RemarksBibliographyAbout the Author