This course will examine contemporary trends in theorizing digital media with particular attention given to software and the video game as new media texts. The semester will be divided into two units. The first unit will address theories of code and software. We will discuss the concept of “software studies” in relation to traditional media studies, and investigate how code and software can be examined as aesthetic and political texts. Through an examination of code and semiotics, software and ideology, and critiques of particular software programs, we will lay a theoretical foundation for the investigation of our second unit: video games. Following the rise of the “serious game movement” we will investigate the emergence of political games, persuasive games, simulation games, newsgames, art games, etc., in relation to the theoretical Concepts we developed while analyzing Software and code.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Croftian Evolution

It's worth looking at Lara Croft as diachronic subject and not simply as a static signifier.

Over the past decade, Lara Croft's visual characteristics have changed, begging the question of why? Is it simple graphics upgrades, or does Lara Croft need to be perpetually reinvented for the next generation? Are certain avatars more sexualized than others? Is this a response to shifting social norms or does Lara continue to stress the same qualities of sexual identity?

It is also worth considering Croft's evolution against the evolution of other popular characters like Mario or even more androgynous character like Pikachu or Kirby.

What qualities are repeated to impart the 'essence' of the character and what changes to keep the character 'contemporary' ?





Posted by Zack McCune at 4:36 PM

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