This is most powerfully noticed when you open Fallout 76.
Fallout 76 deals with the capitalist critique of Fallout way better than 3 or 4 do. It actually has some decent worldbuilding (not writing) and examines problems like automation and exterminating worker's strikes.
Then you press escape and hit the 'Atom Shop' button, and you're whisked away to listen to calming store music as you browse endless pages of in-game branded gear, all sold for Fallout 76 funbucks, all sporting the usual trappings of a manipulative in-game store.
Even when the text itself is trying to be earnestly anti-capitalist, you can't escape the capitalist incentives that drive the entire art project.
This is most powerfully noticed when you open Fallout 76.
Fallout 76 deals with the capitalist critique of Fallout way better than 3 or 4 do. It actually has some decent worldbuilding (not writing) and examines problems like automation and exterminating worker's strikes.
Then you press escape and hit the 'Atom Shop' button, and you're whisked away to listen to calming store music as you browse endless pages of in-game branded gear, all sold for Fallout 76 funbucks, all sporting the usual trappings of a manipulative in-game store.
Even when the text itself is trying to be earnestly anti-capitalist, you can't escape the capitalist incentives that drive the entire art project.
Capitalism subsuming criticism of itself
Art can't be fully realized under Capitalism, it must be an avid rejection in order to truly be art.
This hurts my heart...