New Paper Submission: The Rendered Arena – Axel Stockburger

Axel Stockburger writes to tell us of his (just completed) PhD Thesis at the University of the Arts, London, that addresses issues of spatiality in video and computer games. One chapter is dedicated to the important role of sound in spatial representation. There is also a chapter about game art and issues of space in games.

THE RENDERED ARENA

Modalities of Space in Video and Computer Games

Axel Stockburger 2006

Download Thesis

Phd-Thesis Abstract

During the last 30 years computer and videogames have grown into a large entertainment industry of economical as well as cultural and social importance.

As a distinctive field of academic inquiry begins to evolve in the form of game studies, the majority of approaches can be identified as emerging either from a background of literary theory which motivates a concentration on narrative structures or from a dedicated focus on the rules in video and computer games. However, one of the most evident properties of those games is their shared participation in a variety of spatial illusions. Although most researchers share the view that issues related to mediated space are among the most significant factors characterising the new medium, as of yet, no coherent conceptual exploration of space and spatial representation in video and computer games has been undertaken.

Read on for more…

[tags]sound, video game, space, perception[/tags]

(Via selectparks.)