Gaming in art: A case study of two examples of the artistic appropriation of computer games and the mapping of historical trajectories of Art Games versus mainstream computer games

[摘要] This essay will explore the existing definitions of art games that are currently beingused in the art game/art mod genre. It will identify the leading theorists within thefield, and take into account their definitions whilst at the same time establishing aset of categories within which can be defined the dominant trends in thedevelopment of the field. It will also situate art games within an historical context,both within the commercial computer game field as well as the digital art field andattempt to establish some sort of timeline within which we can see the developmentand emergence of art games in relation to these two disciplines. Two examples ofart games, both from different categories will be examined and critiqued in thecontext of Artistic Computer Game Modification – A 3D game called Escape FromWoomera and an art mod or patch called SOD. The art game as an entity will beexamined in relation to ideas of the 'interactive’ and 'play’, and the implications andpotential for fine art practice will be investigated.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand