Searching for Libertalia: Uncharted 4 and Its Reimagining of the Golden Age of Piracy
Searching for Libertalia: Uncharted 4 and Its Reimagining of the Golden Age of Piracy

Author(s): Aleksandra Jarecka
Subject(s): Cultural history, 18th Century, 19th Century
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: adaptations; A General History of the Pyrates; Captain Charles Johnson; Captain Misson; gaming; Henry Avery; Libertalia; Uncharted 4
Summary/Abstract: Through the legend of a pirate colony named Libertalia described in 'A General History of the Pyrates', pseudonymous Captain Charles Johnson seems to question the traditional bases of society, which turns his work into a social commentary. This essay examines selected representations of the pirate haven and contrasts them with its reimagining in the video game 'Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End', with Captain Misson, the founder of this utopian settlement, replaced by another pirate, Henry Avery. It investigates whether the modern interpretation of Libertalia in Uncharted conveys a message akin to the one presented by Johnson, collating the 18th-century plotline with its digital successor. Finally, the personalities of the game’s characters are compared with the motivations of the 18th-century literary rogues. The essay concludes by discussing the allure of Libertalia and its evolution from a symbol of pirate freedom to a story of corruption and greed inserted into a world of mystery and treasure hunting.

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