Christopher Bartel - Böcker

Aesthetics and Video Games introduces current issues and ideas in philosophical aesthetics that help us to better understand why video games are different from cinema, animation and other types of fiction.Addressing two foundational issues, the notion of the aesthetic and the value of play, it asks what the aesthetic is and investigates how value arises from different forms of play. Introducing the history and theory surrounding these questions, this book:- Offers an account of the value of games that places gameplay and interactivity at its core- Acknowledges the importance of both ethical and feminist criticisms of games- Offers a novel account of how video games can be valued as competitions, narratives, and toys- Suggests ways in which a theory of the aesthetics of games must move beyond traditional approaches in aesthetics.Drawing from work in philosophy, media studies, psychology, and gender studies, it not only demonstrates how theories from these areas can helpfully come into conversation with each other, it explores new paradigms, models, and concepts that aid our knowledge of video games in today's culture.

Aesthetics and Video Games introduces current issues and ideas in philosophical aesthetics that help us to better understand why video games are different from cinema, animation and other types of fiction.Addressing two foundational issues, the notion of the aesthetic and the value of play, it asks what the aesthetic is and investigates how value arises from different forms of play. Introducing the history and theory surrounding these questions, this book:- Offers an account of the value of games that places gameplay and interactivity at its core- Acknowledges the importance of both ethical and feminist criticisms of games- Offers a novel account of how video games can be valued as competitions, narratives, and toys- Suggests ways in which a theory of the aesthetics of games must move beyond traditional approaches in aesthetics.Drawing from work in philosophy, media studies, psychology, and gender studies, it not only demonstrates how theories from these areas can helpfully come into conversation with each other, it explores new paradigms, models, and concepts that aid our knowledge of video games in today's culture.

Is it ever morally wrong to enjoy fantasizing about immoral things? Many video games allow players to commit numerous violent and immoral acts. But, should players worry about the morality of their virtual actions? A common argument is that games offer merely the virtual representation of violence. No one is actually harmed by committing a violent act in a game. So, it cannot be morally wrong to perform such acts. While this is an intuitive argument, it does not resolve the issue. Focusing on why individual players are motivated to entertain immoral and violent fantasies, Video Games, Violence, and the Ethics of Fantasy advances debates about the ethical criticism of art, not only by shining light on the interesting and under-examined case of virtual fantasies, but also by its novel application of a virtue ethical account. Video games are works of fiction that enable players to entertain a fantasy. So, a full understanding of the ethical criticism of video games must focus attention on why individual players are motivated to entertain immoral and violent fantasies. Video Games, Violence, and the Ethics of Fantasy engages with debates and critical discussions of games in both the popular media and recent work in philosophy, psychology, media studies, and game studies.