This article explores the construction of Silent Hill—Konami’s survival horror video game series—as art. Adopting a discursive approach to the notion of ‘‘art,’’ the extent to which traditional formations of cultural value are mobilized is explored across three aspects of the series’ first four installments. The Silent Hill game texts are examined as evoking formal devices of art cinema, including realism, ambiguity, psychological complexity, and self-reflexivity. Next the games’ advertising is considered as emphasizing these qualities, privileging narrative over ludic gaming aspects. Finally the games’ representation in the documentary ‘‘The Making of Silent Hill 2’’ is discussed as positioning the series within frameworks of artistry and authorship.
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