ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the use of metareference as a central game mechanic in Daniel Mullins's Inscryption (2021), a deck building roguelike that reveals itself to be so much more. While Mullins is well-known for creating works that challenge video game conventions, Inscryption is particularly notable for its playful blending of game genres to create an experience that extends beyond the screen. Through its use of mise en abyme, the game creates a metaleptic narrative with layers that are not only deep but also reach back into the real world. Inscryption serves as a critical case study for examining the primacy of immediacy in contemporary culture and the use of metareference to disrupt immersion and facilitate reflection about both the game and the tenuous boundaries between games and reality.
