The Art of Videogames

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

?As a new entertainment medium, videogaming has the power to engage intense, even obsessive attention. But are the other-worldly, imaginative experiences videogames provide authentic experiences of art? In this astute and compelling book, Grant Tavinor shows how videogaming marks a genuine advance in the history of artistic expression. No one interested in the future of aesthetics can afford to ignore The Art of Videogames.? ?Denis Dutton, author of The Art Instinct: Beauty, Pleasure, and Human Evolution "Timely, sharp and thoroughly engaging. Equally informed by philosophy and gameplay, Tavinor makes a compelling case that game-designers would profit from engaging with philosophical aesthetics and that philosophers who want to contribute to 21st century aesthetics would do well to buy a PS3." ?Ian Ground, Senior Lecturer, University of Sunderland

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.

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.

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.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.