We need decent research into games and gaming so the news that a new "Videogames Research Network has been set up by the Games Research Group at the University of Lincoln" comes as a very excellent surprise. But there is more...
According to the UoL, "Performance artists and researchers are joining forces to create a new type of video game, further blurring the boundaries between real and virtual worlds." Dr Patrick Dickinson from Lincoln’s School of Computer Science says:
"The concept of performance has already become important in games; for example, Microsoft Kinect, Nintendo Wii and Playstation Move are based on direct physical movement rather than pushing buttons on a controller. However, it’s an area of interaction that’s not been fully explored in terms of innovative mechanics in a commercial setting.
"We want to take a fresh look at from the perspective of performing arts research and practice, and use them to develop new game design ideas. We will also be looking at location-based gaming - games that are situated ‘in the wild’.”
Dr Duncan Rowland from the same department says, “The mechanics of video games can now be expressed using naturalistic body movements and behaviours, blurring the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. We will address this challenge using the perspective of performing arts research and practice, enabling performance practitioners and researchers to engage directly with the game development process.
"It’s about how concepts of expression through performance could create new and engaging game play mechanics and how the role of audience could create playful interactions and be used to generate competitive and collaborative play.”
There we go: Video Games are Art.
Source: University of Lincoln
According to the UoL, "Performance artists and researchers are joining forces to create a new type of video game, further blurring the boundaries between real and virtual worlds." Dr Patrick Dickinson from Lincoln’s School of Computer Science says:
"The concept of performance has already become important in games; for example, Microsoft Kinect, Nintendo Wii and Playstation Move are based on direct physical movement rather than pushing buttons on a controller. However, it’s an area of interaction that’s not been fully explored in terms of innovative mechanics in a commercial setting.
"We want to take a fresh look at from the perspective of performing arts research and practice, and use them to develop new game design ideas. We will also be looking at location-based gaming - games that are situated ‘in the wild’.”
Dr Duncan Rowland from the same department says, “The mechanics of video games can now be expressed using naturalistic body movements and behaviours, blurring the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds. We will address this challenge using the perspective of performing arts research and practice, enabling performance practitioners and researchers to engage directly with the game development process.
"It’s about how concepts of expression through performance could create new and engaging game play mechanics and how the role of audience could create playful interactions and be used to generate competitive and collaborative play.”
There we go: Video Games are Art.
Source: University of Lincoln