Arkham Asylum is Over.

Micah Edmonds’ most widely-viewed video essay to date, Arkham Asylum is Over is an example of his unique creative vision for longform work and desire for human perspectives in media. The three-and-a-half-hour deep-dive into the popular video game Batman: Arkham Asylum aimed to discuss it's artful construction and merit as a game, but also it's complicated depiction of mental health institutions and conditions, and how they intersected with a violent narrative. Highlighting how the game is one of the most visible examples of mental health within the videogame space, Edmonds’ case study speaks about how Arkham Asylum draws from the long, well documented history of mental health stigma without offering a conclusive or helpful point of view.

With extensive use of in-game debug camera techniques and unique spatial audio editing, Edmonds’ didn’t just push the envelope with discussion by taking a unique point of view previously unseen in discussion on the game, but aimed to create a video work which truly places the viewer within the world of the asylum as they watch and listen.

An atmospheric, moody, haunting piece which created huge amounts of conversation within the Batman community, Arkham Asylum is Over has influenced and been cited among other creators since it’s release, and remains a highly unique video essay within the gaming space.

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ESSAY RESPONSES

"Extraordinary. One of the most nuanced, challenging, engaging, creative videos I’ve ever watched. Beyond description. You should be proud, I can’t believe something like this is on YouTube." - JustF4211

"I want you to know that I still bring the ending of this video up in conversations. It's devastating. Haunting. I think a great strength of your writing here is your willingness to ground as much of the game as possible in what elements of the real world inspired it. I'm taking a break from your Origins video now to write this, & I'm glad to say that this sensibility has only matured in the time since you made this." - anabrule

"What a thought provoking video. It is very refreshing to see these games challenged on such a real level." - markpain98