History of Video Games as Art

Unit 1 – Video Games as Art: An Introduction

Unit 2 – Video Game History: The Medium's Rise

Unit 3 – Game Design & Tech Evolution

Unit 4 – Visual Evolution in Video Game Aesthetics

Unit 5 – Storytelling Techniques in Video Games

Unit 6 – Sound and Music in Video Games

Unit 7 – Interactive Storytelling in Games

Unit 8 – Identity in Video Games: Representation

Unit 9 – Cultural Impact of Video Games

Unit 10 – Video Games as Art: Cultural Impact

Unit 11 – Contemporary Issues in Game Art

Unit 12 – Video Games as Art: Analysis & Interpretation

## What do you learn in History of Video Games as Art

You'll explore how video games have evolved as an artistic medium. The course covers the visual aesthetics, storytelling techniques, and cultural impact of games from Pong to modern blockbusters. You'll analyze game design, graphics, sound, and narrative elements through an art history lens, and discuss how games reflect and shape society.

## Is History of Video Games as Art hard?

It's not as tough as you might think. The workload is manageable, with readings, game playthroughs, and analysis papers. The trickiest part is learning to look at games critically as art objects, which takes some practice. If you're into gaming, you'll probably find it more fun than challenging.

## Tips for taking History of Video Games as Art in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Play the assigned games, don't just watch playthroughs
3. Take screenshots while playing to use in your papers
4. Learn basic art history terms (composition, perspective, etc.) to apply to game analysis
5. Keep an eye out for recurring themes and motifs across different games
6. Watch "High Score" on Netflix for extra context on early game history
7. Check out "The Art of Video Games" book by Chris Melissinos for visual references
8. Join online forums to discuss game art with other enthusiasts

## Common pre-requisites for History of Video Games as Art

1. Introduction to Art History: Covers the basics of analyzing visual art across different time periods and cultures. You'll learn key terminology and techniques for interpreting artworks.

2. Digital Media Fundamentals: Introduces various digital art forms and technologies. This class gives you a foundation in digital design principles that apply to video game art.

## Classes similar to History of Video Games as Art

1. Film Studies: Analyzes movies as an art form, looking at cinematography, narrative, and cultural impact. You'll learn how to critically examine visual storytelling, which applies to games too.

2. Interactive Media Design: Focuses on creating user experiences for digital platforms. This class explores the intersection of art, technology, and user interaction in digital spaces.

3. Digital Animation: Covers the principles and techniques of computer animation. You'll learn about the visual language of movement and how it's used in games and other media.

4. Cultural Studies in Media: Examines how different forms of media reflect and shape society. This class helps you understand the broader context of video games in popular culture.

## Majors related to History of Video Games as Art

1. Game Design: Focuses on creating engaging and immersive video game experiences. Students learn about game mechanics, level design, and the technical aspects of game development.

2. Digital Arts: Combines traditional art skills with digital technologies. Students explore various digital media forms, including 3D modeling, animation, and interactive design.

3. Media Studies: Analyzes various forms of media and their impact on society. Students examine how different media, including video games, shape cultural narratives and social interactions.

4. Art History: Explores the development of visual arts throughout human history. Students learn to analyze and interpret artworks in their historical and cultural contexts, including newer forms like video games.

## What can you do with a degree in History of Video Games as Art?

1. Game Designer: Creates the core concepts, rules, and mechanics of video games. They work with artists and programmers to bring their ideas to life and craft engaging player experiences.

2. Art Director for Game Studios: Oversees the visual style and artistic direction of video game projects. They manage teams of artists and ensure the game's visuals align with the overall creative vision.

3. Museum Curator (Digital Arts): Organizes exhibitions and collections related to digital art and video games. They research, acquire, and present digital artworks, including video games, in cultural institutions.

4. Games Journalist/Critic: Writes about video games for publications or websites. They analyze games from artistic and cultural perspectives, reviewing new releases and discussing industry trends.

## History of Video Games as Art FAQs

1. Do I need to be good at playing video games? Not really, the focus is on analysis rather than skill. You'll need to play games, but it's more about observing and thinking critically than getting high scores.

2. Are we only studying modern, graphically advanced games? Nope, the course covers games from all eras. You'll look at how artistic elements have evolved from simple pixel art to photorealistic 3D graphics.

3. Will we be creating our own game art? It depends on the specific course, but most focus on analysis rather than creation. Some classes might include small design projects, but you won't need advanced art skills.

Art History

Digital Arts

1.4 Introduction to Critical Analysis of Video Games

1.3 Key Debates and Perspectives in Video Game Art Theory

1.2 Historical Context of Video Games as an Artistic Medium

1.1 Defining Art and Its Relationship to Video Games

2.4 Early Pioneers and Their Artistic Contributions

2.3 The Rise of Home Consoles and Personal Computers

2.2 The Golden Age of Arcade Games

2.1 The Origins of Video Games (1950s-1970s)

3.4 Emergence of Online and Multiplayer Gaming

3.1 Evolution of 2D to 3D Graphics and Its Impact on Artistic Expression

3.2 Innovations in User Interface and Control Systems

3.3 The Rise of Open World and Sandbox Games

4.2 The Impact of 3D Graphics on Game Aesthetics

4.3 Stylization vs. Photorealism in Game Art

4.4 Environmental Design and World-Building

4.5 Character Design and Animation

4.1 Pixel Art and Early Game Graphics

5.4 The Role of Cutscenes and Scripted Events

5.2 Character Development and Dialogue Systems

5.3 Environmental Storytelling and Narrative Architecture

5.1 Linear vs. Non-linear Storytelling in Games

6.4 Voice Acting and Performance in Games

6.3 Adaptive and Interactive Music Systems

6.2 Sound Effects and Ambient Audio in Game Environments

6.1 The Evolution of Video Game Music

7.1 Choice-based Narratives and Branching Storylines

7.3 The Impact of Player Choices on Game Worlds and Characters

7.2 Emergent Gameplay and Player-Created Narratives

8.3 Cultural Representation and Appropriation in Games

8.2 Race and Ethnicity in Game Worlds and Character Design

8.4 Accessibility and Inclusivity in Game Design

8.1 Gender and Sexuality in Video Game Characters and Narratives

9.1 Political and Social Themes in Video Games

9.2 Satire and Critique in Game Design

9.3 Historical Events and Settings in Video Games

9.4 Philosophical and Ethical Explorations through Gaming

10.2 The Intersection of Video Games and Traditional Art Forms

10.3 Video Game Preservation and Archiving

10.4 The Rise of Independent and Artistic Game Development

10.1 Video Game Exhibitions and Museums

11.1 Virtual and Augmented Reality in Gaming

11.4 Gamification and Serious Games as Artistic Expression

11.3 The Impact of Mobile and Casual Gaming on Art Design

11.2 Artificial Intelligence and Procedural Generation in Game Art

12.1 Frameworks for Analyzing Video Games as Artistic Works

12.4 The Future of Video Games as an Artistic Medium

12.3 Comparative Analysis of Video Games and Other Art Forms

12.2 The Role of the Player as Co-creator and Interpreter

Browse all History of Video Games as Art Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next