The Art of Videogames - (New Directions in Aesthetics) by Grant Tavinor (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Art of Videogames explores how philosophy of the arts theories developed to address traditional art works can also be applied to videogames.

• Presents a unique philosophical approach to the art of videogaming, situating videogames in the framework of analytic philosophy of the arts
• Explores how philosophical theories developed to address traditional art works can also be applied to videogames
• Written for a broad audience of both philosophers and videogame enthusiasts by a philosopher who is also an avid gamer
• Discusses the relationship between games and earlier artistic and entertainment media, how videogames allow for interactive fiction, the role of game narrative, and the moral status of violent events depicted in videogame worlds
• Argues that videogames do indeed qualify as a new and exciting form of representational art

From the Back Cover

Videogames aren't just for children anymore. In fact, their fictional worlds now inspire us to make judgments about perceptual beauty, involve us in interpretation, and arouse our emotions. Reflecting the increasing technical and moral sophistication of the medium, The Art of Videogames presents a unique philosophical approach to the art of videogaming. The author, a philosopher as well as an avid gamer, explores how philosophical theories developed to address traditional art works - such as novels and film - can also be applied to videogames. Chapters delve into relationships between games and earlier artistic and entertainment media, employ the theory of fiction to explore how videogames allow for interactive fiction, look at the role of game narrative, and address the debate about the moral status of violent events depicted in videogame worlds. The text concludes by arguing that videogames do indeed qualify as a new and exciting form of representational art.

By situating videogames in the framework of analytic philosophy of the arts, The Art of Videogames offers unique philosophical insights while finally bridging the worlds of fantasy and philosophy.

About the Author

Grant Tavinor is a Lecturer in Philosophy at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. He has published articles on videogames in the journal Philosophy and Literature and has been playing videogames for as long as he can remember.