Artistic computer game modification
Encyclopedia
Video game art involves the use of patched or modified video games or the repurposing of existing games or game structures. Often this modification is through the use of level editor
s, though other techniques exist. Some artists make use of machinima
applications to produce non-interactive animated artworks; however artistic modification is not synonymous with machinima as these form only a small proportion of artistic modifications.
Videogame art relies on a broader range of artistic techniques and outcomes than artistic modification. These can include painting, sculpture, appropriation, in-game intervention and performance, sampling, etc. Video game art also includes creating art games from scratch, rather than by modifying existing games. It is useful to regard these as distinct from art mods as they rely on different tools, though naturally there are many similarities with some art mods.
Like games, artistic game modifications may be single-player or multiplayer. Multiplayer works make use of networked environments to develop new models of interactivity and collaborative production.
(3-D) graphics rendering
engines to generate computer animation
. The term also refers to works that incorporate this animation technique.
installations
and site-relative gaming modifications
("mods"), replicate real-world places (often the gallery they are in) to explore similarities and differences between real and virtual worlds. An example is What It Is Without the Hand That Wields It, where blood from kills in Counterstrike manifests and spills into a real life gallery.
and the Fijuu project.
Level editor
A level editor is a software tool used to design levels, maps, campaigns, etc and virtual worlds for a video game. In some cases the creator of a video game releases an official level editor for a game, but other times the community of fans step in to fill the void...
s, though other techniques exist. Some artists make use of machinima
Machinima
Machinima is the use of real-time 3D computer graphics rendering engines to create a cinematic production. Most often, video games are used to generate the computer animation...
applications to produce non-interactive animated artworks; however artistic modification is not synonymous with machinima as these form only a small proportion of artistic modifications.
Videogame art relies on a broader range of artistic techniques and outcomes than artistic modification. These can include painting, sculpture, appropriation, in-game intervention and performance, sampling, etc. Video game art also includes creating art games from scratch, rather than by modifying existing games. It is useful to regard these as distinct from art mods as they rely on different tools, though naturally there are many similarities with some art mods.
Like games, artistic game modifications may be single-player or multiplayer. Multiplayer works make use of networked environments to develop new models of interactivity and collaborative production.
Machinima
Machinima is the use of real-time three-dimensional3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
(3-D) graphics rendering
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
engines to generate computer animation
Computer animation
Computer animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images....
. The term also refers to works that incorporate this animation technique.
In-game intervention and performance
Artistic interventions in online games, often designed to disrupt in-game norms in order to expose the underlying conventions and functions of game play. Examples of this include Velvet-Strike and Dead in Iraq.Site-specific installations and site-relative mods
Site-specificSite-specific art
Site-specific art is artwork created to exist in a certain place. Typically, the artist takes the location into account while planning and creating the artwork...
installations
Installation art
Installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Generally, the term is applied to interior spaces, whereas exterior interventions are often called Land art; however, the boundaries between...
and site-relative gaming modifications
Mod (computer gaming)
Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
("mods"), replicate real-world places (often the gallery they are in) to explore similarities and differences between real and virtual worlds. An example is What It Is Without the Hand That Wields It, where blood from kills in Counterstrike manifests and spills into a real life gallery.
Real-time performance instruments
Video games can be incorporated into live audio and visual performance using a variety of instruments and computers such as keyboards embedded with music chips. See also chiptuneChiptune
A chiptune, also known as chip music, is synthesized electronic music often produced with the sound chips of vintage computers and video game consoles, as well as with other methods such as emulation. In the early 1980s, personal computers became cheaper and more accessible than they had previously...
and the Fijuu project.
Generative art mods
Generative art mods exploit the real-time capabilities of game technologies to produce ever-renewing autonomous artworks. Examples include Julian Oliver's ioq3apaint, a generative painting system that uses the actions of software agents in combat to drive the painting process, Alison Mealy's UnrealArt which takes the movements of game entities and uses them to control a drawing process in an external program and RetroYou's R/C Racer a modification of the graphic elements of a racing game which results in rich fields of colour and shape.See also
- DemosceneDemosceneThe demoscene is a computer art subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in real-time on a computer...
- Digital artDigital artDigital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
- Electronic artElectronic artElectronic art is a form of art that makes use of electronic media or, more broadly, refers to technology and/or electronic media. It is related to information art, new media art, video art, digital art, interactive art, internet art, and electronic music...
- Internet artInternet artInternet art is a form of digital artwork distributed via the Internet. This form of art has circumvented the traditional dominance of the gallery and museum system, delivering aesthetic experiences via the Internet. In many cases, the viewer is drawn into some kind of interaction with the work...
- Software artSoftware artSoftware art refers to works of art where the creation of software, or concepts from software, play an important role; for example software applications which were created by artists and which were intended as artworks. As an artistic discipline software art has attained growing attention since the...
- Video game genres
- GameplayGameplayGameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
- ModdingModdingModding is a slang expression that is derived from the verb "modify". Modding refers to the act of modifying a piece of hardware or software or anything else for that matter, to perform a function not originally conceived or intended by the designer...
- Virtual artVirtual artVirtual art is art practice using virtual reality, augmented reality or mixed reality as a medium in a digital environment..-Form:It can be considered a post-convergent art form, containing all previous media as subsets...
- Electronic Language International FestivalElectronic Language International FestivalFILE - Electronic Language International Festival is a New media art festival that usually takes place in three different cities of Brazil: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre and it has also participated in others events around the world...