This course is an introduction to analyzing video games with a critical message. We’ll examine how video games craft particular arguments and create meaning in exchange with the player. Since video games are a multi-layered medium, we won’t limit ourselves to their narrative or visual level, but will also include game mechanics as processes. They for the so-called procedural rhetoric, i.e., video games’ particular mode of representation.
The focus will be especially on those games that convey a critical message. This doesn’t mean that we’re only dealing with particular forms of video games that are supposed to convey a particular message or teach values (like serious games or propaganda games). Rather, we focus on games as a form of art that tries to convey an argument (be it merely implicitly or explicitly).
The particular topic these games address are videogames and their surrounding issues. They are self-critical. This self-criticism can refer to the aesthetic (e.g., conventions and culture) as well as to the social dimension, (e.g., production and community) or its technology (e.g., hardware and software). This will be discussed on the basis of relevant examples from the medium of video games.
After a short introduction to game studies and critical games, we’ll mostly focus on the games themselves and their (self-critical) rhetoric.
The following games we’ll discuss (however, there might be some additions in the final course)
• Manual Samuel
• Superhot
• The Magic Circle
• Death Stranding
Admission settings
The course is part of admission "ELW/ALW/NELK: Aufbaumodul BA/LA: Cultural Studies".
The following rules apply for the admission:
This setting is active from 01.03.2021 08:00 to 05.04.2021 20:00. Enrolment is allowed for up to 1 courses of the admission set.
The enrolment is possible from 01.03.2021, 08:00 to 05.04.2021, 20:00.
A defined number of seats will be assigned to these courses.
The seats in the affected courses have been assigned at 07.04.2021 on 08:00. Additional seats may be available via a wait list.
