The Gamified Social Allegory in Liu Cixin’s Supernova Era

Abstract

Liu Cixin’s Supernova Era presents a profound allegory of societal transformation through gamification. This article argues that the novel, depicting a world where children inherit the Earth after a supernova kills all adults, anticipates contemporary trends of gamification while critically examining its potential and perils. The article employs game studies and science fiction studies to examine four core games—leader selection, territorial simulation, Antarctic wargame, and territory exchange in the novel. It explores how the novel envisions the collapse of the centralized, adult-imposed industrial order and its replacement by a decentralized, play-driven society, facilitated by information technology and mass participation. It further dissects the Antarctic “wargame” as a cautionary tale, revealing the inherent dangers of violence, ethical erosion, and global conflict escalation when gamification loses control. Finally, the paper contextualizes Liu's vision within Chinese science fiction history and contemporary literature, highlighting his distinct “posthuman” perspective that challenges anthropocentric humanism. Combining discussions about the potentials and risks of a gamified society, Supernova Era thus serves as a prescient and critical commentary on the logic and consequences of societal gamification. Liu’s science fiction imagination can therefore provide inspiration and broaden perspectives on the future direction of post-Cold War social structures.