In the past, fantasy, as a genre in traditional forms of media, were very limited in their capabilities of presenting their imaginative creativity. The two types of representations that was available to people, were the basic narrative and image forms of representations. Now, it seems that with the help of technological advances, we are able to evolve in representing our ways/forms of modern media. There are many characteristics that would make anyone believe that video games in their entirety would most likely fall under the category of modern media fantasy.
For example, fantasy generally means a creative imaginary idea or thought by which the unthinkable or illogical is accepted as actual truth or logic in the context of that certain thought. The fantasy ideas or thoughts are usually represented in many forms of art, such as, paintings, novels, or even a theatrical play. When Tax writes about fantasy and says that it lets “the wind into our imagination, and help to set us free,” could not have been a better description when relating it to the intricate set of forms that it may take. Though when playing a video game, a person unconsciously becomes the character in the game, and accepts everything as true at that time, and assumes that all the responsibility that the characters in the video game is responsible for.
When any person plays a soccer game, they feel as if they become the soccer player scoring the goal all the way from half field. Most would probably not be able to do this in real life, but in the game anyone can, which is why people play video games to start with; to be able to do things that they are not able to do in real life. Its something different and imaginary, which is why anyone would be interested in this because it exposes an individuals mind to something uniquely new. (Tax, M. - Pg. 16)
Another characteristic that might relate the fantasy genre to video games, is the ability to have social interaction in the majority of game consoles. The virtual social interactions with the networking capabilities, only strengthens the gamers view on playing the role of the character they assume. Justifying the overall perception about video games and how they may or may not relate to the fantasy genre can be won only when accepting that video games are one way or another a form of art. Smuts breaks down this perception in a study about how video games are a form of art, by saying,
“All feature integrated narratives, graphics nearing photo-realism and elaborate three-dimensional worlds with rich and detailed textures. I do not claim that any of these games are great art, but they are all adept at achieving the goals they set for themselves, goals of provoking specific emotions that are typical of similar genres in other art forms.”
To conclude, even though Smuts may believe that video games are not “great art,” he also points out how with their characteristics; they meet the requirements as a form of art, such as fantasy. In the end, it is safe to say that video games are products of the fantasy commodification industry, and with their every new product comes a wave of new clients eager to get their fix.
References:
- Smuts, A. (2005, November 2). Are video games art? Contemporary Aesthetics Is an International, Interdisciplinary, Peer- and Blind-reviewed Online Journal of Contemporary Theory, Research, and Application in Aesthetics. Retrieved August 16, 2011, from http://www.contempaesthetics.org/newvolume/pages/article.php?articleID=299
- Tax, M. (Jan 28, 2002). In the Year of Harry Potter, Enter the Dragon. In The Nation.
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