fixing..
Introduction
In my dissertation I will talk about how games
are effecting me architecture industry and what is a role for architects.
Traditionally architects are using drawing as
a one of the tool to express their ideas of imaginative spaces from their mind.
It is used by many architects to transfer virtual imagination design from their
head into a form of reality on a paper (Grosz, 2001). In a sense architects
been designing virtual spaces in their head until it gets transfer into some
sort of forms because it does not exist until so. Virtual space In the 20th
century became sensational because of fact that it can explain spaces with motion
due to development of computer graphics which make it able to create digital
render spaces. It become another tool for architects to transfer and test their
special ideas because It is new ways for architects to present virtual spaces
beside model or drawing which they are restrain by reality. It was widely
adapted by game and cinema industries for example from early 20th Cinema use it
to predict our future or deliver messages specially for Sci-fi movies such as
Blade runner. It shows futuristic city where technology are far advanced
populated city but it starting to questioning human moral behind all of that
which reflect our current problems of metropolitan area. On the other hand
video games were not able to create such a space until early 20th century due
to technological limitation however when it was available to deliver visual
effects closer to reality, it became one of the architectural tool as well.
Some critics refer game as a interactive cinema due to the fact that early
games did used cinematic videos to explain its narrative and In a big picture
It is the one of popular sub-genre of digital cinema in the 21th century. Until
quite recent game did not require complex architectural skills due to the fact
that in early stages of designing graphic was not able to show details of
background since hardware power was very limited. Games starting to improve
within development of graphic industry and developers were able to design game
spaces with more depth. However most of games
are still takes liner path design to construct the game spaces because most of
times it is intentionally built in a way to deliver experiences as developer
intended to give it to the audience. It is also related to a programming
process because unlike movies in the game, main character need to do certain
action to trigger an event to proceed the story line such as pressing switches
to open doors. Furthermore with this reason it always been developed in a way
of designing process with careful construction with path which can navigate
narrative participator in the story. Although not every games are designed in
this way for example open world games so called Sandbox games are unique
because it does not have clear end point which mean it does not have to be
liner. However most of major game companies are making games with movie-like
style after success of half life1 (1998) and medal of honor(1999) because those
game not only sold many copies but it set up new direction for later games.
Games and movies may work similar way but it is delivering it's narrative different way. According to Kevin Veale he states that “The experience of cinematic texts is defined, in part, by the audience’s lack of ability to alter events unfolding within the film’s diegesis. In comparison, the experience of videogames is tied inextricably to the player’s investment and involvement within the game’s textual diegesis.” (Kevin Veale 2012) Video can be easily adapted by consumers then text it is not surprising that industry grow with hasting speed. For architects working with gaming industry maybe natural phenomena as game nowadays visual aspect of game becoming more important. According to the study done by Consumer Technology Association shows that 75% consumers who buy games consider graphic when they are deciding to buy products. On the other hand Jonathan Blow states that “Architects are needed to create a game space with subtle sophistication otherwise game designer only able to achieve location such a sense of place and history.”(Jon Astbury 2014) As computer graphic rendering of video games are become more realistic than past developers are be able to express narrative with greater depth. However designing virtual spaces does require careful set up as one of the important aspect of the game is the narrative. It is possible that game developers are able to create astonishing narrative themselves but most of companies nowadays separate their work to expert which is similar to architecture industry. In a sense architects are designers who can design spaces virtually then transfer it into a form of reality therefore architects are not that different from to game developers. Furthermore these two industries are not that different from each other except casual games because they are not focusing on virtual spaces beside entertainment aspect. Associations between two are becoming inevitable because game market is becoming biggest multicultural market in the world.
A particular genre of a game from several of
different category, my topic will be set on a Science fiction games
particularly because they are not only for entertainment but it is also seems
to represent a vision of our history with
critical view of where our future is heading toward(Reference). For example Bioshock and
Mass effect series are typical rail shooter games which participant have to
follow liner stages to proceed the game but they are showing very different
futuristic prediction within architectural style and messages for example
Bioshock infinity is based on a city where it got constructed with hyper
technologies from quantum mechanics on top of traditional American architecture
from 1900s colonization period. It has strong messages towards religions and
racial problems through out the game. On the other hand Mass effect is based on
a future where our universe is developed enough to travel between galaxies. It
shows an idea of infinite spaces and possibilities by exploring one of the
iconic station in the game Citadel which is based on a design of Standford
torus.
Chapter 1
Game industry
Game industry
In the beginning of 20th century
new technologies created other ways for architects to generate profits, for
example cinema. It is the case of the movie Harry potter(2001) and one of the
movie’s location, Alnwick castle, which became
famous worldwide. The castle had 140000 tourists, which is 3 times more
than usual. Similar to
these games are usually referred as an interactive cinema which is part of
digital cinema genre of 20th. In a sense both media are using motional
images to deliver their narrative but it is different when it gets to a perceive. Traditional cinema is a one way projection where audience cannot
interact with the narrative. It seems to be that architecture industry should
also focus on games industry as well because it is one of largest market in the
world and it is still growing. According to a UK game industry report, UK
game industry was worth over £ 3.9bn in 2014 which is 10% more than previous
year (put quote). It is a market that growing
steadily every year for example in 2013 games industry created more profit then film industry sales by £0.1bn. Furthermore in 2014, while music and video sales
decreased, games still grow with 7.5% more in
total. This trend is happening not only in the UK market but
globally. For example according to an American game industry report, 4 out of 5
U.S households own a device to play video games and 40% people who plays game
spend less time watching movies in a cinema (put quote).
As it probing itself to be more popular than cinema, game could be alternative media to replace video in the near
future. For example there is a competitive multiplayer video game
tournament called “Esport”, which is similar to a traditional sport league
system but with video games. Companies such as Valve held international
tournaments in the existing stadium with an average of 10000 fans, generating
$33 million profit (put quote). In view
of these numbers, architects may need to consider designing architecture just for the gaming sector. For example in Korea there is a culture of
playing game together in facility called PC bang, a word which means computer
room in Korean. It usually has very similar-looking spaces characterized by
very similar environmental conditions, like very dim light, lack of any natural
light source and exposed ventilation system. Rows of computers are lined up
next to each other separated with one glass bars in between to provide minimum privacy.
Personal history with games
Personal history with games
As far as I can remember, the
first impact I had with games was when I was about 6 years old. The game was about
drawing on a large drawing tablet, played on a children
console made in Japan. At the age of 8, I really started getting involved into
the world of videogames. I have always wanted to try and play different genres
of games, to experience different aspects of game. Then when I was 9 I met a friend who had a Nintendo
Entertainment System (NES) console. The NES games were based on
co-operative games with 8 bits of colours graphic and sound (put
quote). They were very simple and straightforward games; they usually had
one linear 2D path at that time due to hardware limitation but despite that the
graphic was very convincing. For example Contra (Published in 1987) was a
futuristic side scrolling video game and it was about fighting against alien
forces. It had several stages with blocky platform fixed on air which would provide steps for a character with very static repeated background (what are you trying to say?). Few years later when
I was 10 years old, my mother showed me a game called block busters, it was the first game I ever played on PC. At that time computer was a rare
household appliance in Korea and it had very limited power but
I used to stay in my mother's work place after school where she had computer for the work. Then few years
later I learned how to use a computer properly and I started to play online games. They were very limited in early 1990 because internet was not able to transfer large amount of data due to fact that it used to make use
of phone lines to transfer the data, resulting very expensive. However due to success of Esport, game industry became more popular and
started spreading throughout Korea. The number of PC bang became greater which
alternatively brought faster internet line to the area. I remember that my
home computer could not support a 2D online game called ‘the kingdom of the
wind’ smoothly due to internet connection and price; in order to play it with no difficulties I had
to go to a PC bang. Few years’ later
internet technology developed further so I was be able to play online 3D games after school in my own house. The game I
played for most of my time was called Mabinogi
which is based on Celtic
mythology. It has a very cartoonish
graphics with early 3D
polygon technology but it was a
successful MMORPG (massive multiply online role playing game) which I played
for almost 7 years. Architecturally it have
mixed European medieval style, for example one of the big city in the game
called Emain Macha which is coming from Celtic mythological city; it also had Germanic
houses with church beside clean water, which reminding me of Amsterdam. When I was 12 years old I used to visit PC bang after the school with my
friends to play games together instead of sports. Unlike my friends I always seek for new games while I was playing same game with them all the time (what are you trying to say?). I remember we were playing game called
Starcraft, which is a top overview 2D strategy game
which is still one of the most beloved game in Korea. It is a space opera placed in a far future where 3 large spaceship abroad
Earth with a mission to colonise a different star system but landed on a
different area because of an error caused by a super computer. However after
they settle in the system, they find out about two different alien species such
as Zerg and Protoss. They both have distinctive features such as architecture to separate them for example Zerg have very interesting architecture style with it got influenced by Startship troopers
because it was a race which evolved from multiple animals and insects, so most
of buildings are formed like a hive. Protoss’s architecture is more similar to
Ancient Egyptian with hyper technology such as large floating crystal on top of
a pyramid. An Interesting fact is that most of teenagers loved the game because it is the game
which started the Esport for the first time in the world. It was so popular that companies used to open tournament with their name like football matches being broadcast on air; the Esport tournament lasted until 2013 before big scandal busted it out. Beside Starcraft I remember when I
first played a game called Call of Duty, a World War Two-based first person shooting game. If I remember
correctly I was the first one to play this kind of game in my school; the game was published by American company called Activision in English language and I used to play the
game even though I was not able to understand English at that time. However when I played those games, even without understanding the
dialogues, I began to have an idea of what the atmosphere was like during World
War Two. This fact certainly boosted my interest toward history of wars, encouraging me to read books on the world wars.
Chapter 2
Science fiction or some authors refer as science fantasy is a fictional genre usually based on scientific principles. According to Darko Suvin who tried to define meaning of science fiction he described as
“a literary genre of verbal construct whose necessary and sufficient conditions are the presence and interaction of estrangement and cognition, and whose main device is an imaginative framework alternative to the author’s empirical environment.(Suvin, p. 37)
As name suggest SF usually set on a future where scientifically advanced from our own world to different one. He used a term ‘the novum’to describe fictional devices which can differentiate fictional world from our own for example time machine or spaceship. It can be seen as a movement to predict what future may look what if mankind has imaginative technology in future. For example couple of technologies became real for example micro handheld device and hologram from early science fiction movies are now available.
In a big picture of science fiction, games are usually set on three different styles for example time traveling, alternative universe or the future. From these three types alternative universe and futuristic games are interesting because they are showing prediction in architecture style within in a its narrative for example game called Wolfenstein is the game set on a world where Nazi had won the world war 2. One of the scenes from the game shows occupied verson of the London where it transformed with neoclassical and military design mixed up. On the other hand half life1 (1998) is based on a secret experimental facility where they accidently opens a portal and connects to alien planet. I am particularly interested in science fiction games because it is a way of predicting our future life style. We are living in a century where everything changes and clashes together in a fast pace. However most interesting aspect of science fiction games are set on a future but somehow it reflects on our history within its narrative. Bioshock infinite which I will mention in next chapter, it is trying to visually show different future where spaces bring nostalgic feeling from an existing architecture style from the past but with heterogeneous experience because of hyper technology that does not invented in that period of time. It is a future where tradition ideology is kept however with a fast growing technology city were able to isolate itself from another. According to Suvin he said “by imagining strange worlds we come to see our own conditions of life in a new and potentially revolutionary perspective “(parrinder, p. 4) Nowadays modern architecture is on a splitting into two big paths for example one with keeping a traditional style and one without it. In a science fiction games player are experiencing space differently compare to traditional cinema as he or she is the one observer but also participant same and without them game’s narrative would not proceed. Therefore player can receive more spatial idea of virtual spaces through the game play.
Chapter 3
Introduction of Bioshock and elements
Bioshock Infinite was published in 2013 and designed by Ken Levine. It is a first person shooter set on an Imaginary city called Columbia built in 1893 which it was inspired by a historical event from World's Columbia Exposition placed in Chicago on 1893. After succession of the Crystal palace exhibition in London which it was the first world exhibition, US government needed to plan theirs because at that time after Chicago’s wild fire on October 8, 1871, city needed an event to reconstruct their city and unite people together because they had clashed between classes. Therefore it was planned to celebrate 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of the America in Chicago. It quickly became a symbol of American Exceptionalism because of its scale was greater than other world’s fair. According to encyclopedia of Chicago history fair was referred as a white city because most temporary buildings are designed in white neoclassical style. (Encyclopedia 2016) In the story Columbia was created by a man called Zachary Hale Comstock with support from government to show the world power of America. It seems plausible that it is characterized city on what world’s Columbian exposition tried to achieve in 1893. It is formed with multiple vertical colonial architectural buildings blocks but they are not in horizontal level. It almost looks like segments of 19th century architecture and neoclassical buildings are forming up a city block together. Also underneath of buildings there are steampunk looking machine supporting the ground. According to the Encyclopedia SF steampunk is a sub-genre of alternative history science fiction based on nineteenth century era which is set on idea of Belle Époque. It is the period of time when development of technology brought very optimistic atmosphere with inventions such as automobile, telephone and aeroplane. Interestingly it is based on a theory of alternative history which is coming from a theory of quantum mechanics. In quantum mechanics theory it explains about status of possibilities existing in one place at the same time. It is a scientific law trying to describe unusual behavior of atoms. For example scientists did experiment called double slit experiment which is a test firing particles such as electron to a gaps. From this test they found out an atom exists in two different spaces without splitting themselves however when they put observer it did not happen. One of scientist tried to explain this phenomenon by saying "Only conscious mind can be observers who create very existence of reality of own otherwise we maintain one of expanding possibilities with nothing actually happening." This conceptual idea leads to an idea of parallel universe because it is about different universes divide by possibilities. For example another famous experiment called Schrodinger's cat done by Schrodinger it is about a box with cat inside and a device is set which contains deadly poison that can be triggered with 50% chance. Status of cat is unknown until observer is opens the box and as It is impossible to check therefore Schrodinger state there are two different universe existing in the box which one with dead cat and the other one with healthy cat. Bioshock infinite is about another possible alternative universe where scientist called Rosalind Lutece invented a device which can fix atoms in place then it is being used to support Columbia on air. As this world is based on real historical time objects that reminding of our current world can be found for example in the city flying machines are easily spotted because it reflects astonishing invention of aeroplane by Wright brothers at that time.
Architecture in the game
At the beginning of the game main character named Booker Dewitt enters a lighthouse about 25m height with 5 floors to enter the Columbia because he received a mission to bring a girl called Elizabeth to mysteries man to wipe his debt away. In the light house each floor display objects that reminding of previous games but it also gives warning sign of what may happen in the game later on for example on the third floor there is a dead man tied up to a chair with a message on his chest “Do not disappoint us”. When he enters a top floor then set on a chair after entering password which it is turns out to be a rocket. It starts to rise through dark thunderstorm with a face of horror reflected on the window then after assentation player have a view of the city for the first time. In the city natural lights sine through clouds lighten up buildings which makes it looks like the city colored in white as World’s Columbia exposition used to be called the white city. Then he enters a building through a vertical tunnel which it looks like a watch tower because of large gears spinning in the square tower. Interesting thing is that religious quotes are written on the panels about new Eden indicating Columbia is the one. After descending through the building he enters inside a church floor fill with water and neoclassical pillars stand aside with candles as only working light sources in the building. In the background there is a song called will the circle be unbroken repeating itself which it seems reminding player that this is a church because unlike traditional Christianity church this one is about the one prophet called Comstock and his prophecy. This seems to be a representation of Mormonism in America because of similarities between those two for example they both accept existence of the prophet and they tried to create utopian society. It seems designer of the game may have selected Mormonism because game is heavily based on American exceptionalism. It was founded by Joseph Smith in the 1820s because he claims other brunches of Christianity were corrupted. Similar to this Comstock sees America as a corrupted country then he decides to separate Columbia from it. Furthermore according to game’s record he received message from an archangel of god named Columbia which is similar to what Joseph Smith had experienced.
I am personally interested in the first chapter because architecture is being used to describe what is a ideal society would looks like. Architecturally in my opinion the water church part is very important in the narrative because it seems to represent a gateway which try to separate from current world which is why it has water on the floor. According to Nicholas Pokhilko he stated that Water in Christianity it is used as a symbol of life as well as a means of cleansing or purification is of particular importance in the old testament.(Reference) This idea becomes more clear when he enters a large chamber which has neoclassical arches with water filled up to ankle level. He founds out large crowed of prayers can be found in front of the gate toward the city which looks like a tube with arches but then he found out the only way getting into a city is to get baptized by Preacher Witting. It seems at this point When Booker is drowned then he wakes up in an office which it seems to be private detective office with very little natural light. There is a desk in the room with alcohols bottles, cards and cigarette boxes are lying around but beside that room does not have much furniture for its size. On the wall next to the only door to another room except front door military medals which indicate that he is previously served in 7th cavalry unit. After short while from the front door a strange male voice can be heard with sound of banging the door demanding to player to open the door. It seems to me that it reflects on American history because in the game Booker Dewitt served in army and discharged with medal which he earned from Wounded Knee massacre which it happened on 1890 where 500 U.S cavalry soldiers killed 120 unarmed American natives.This was a turning point for him because in the game he found out Comstock is actually himself in different universe. After the discharge Booker Dewitt visited Preacher Witting who is a priest in that moment two possible world was created one with accepting the baptizing and forget his sin then one he refuses. Booker Dewitt did not accept this and he lived in a PTSD which it seems to reflect on American soldier’s life style after a war. On the other hand he became new person by washing away his sin and believing himself as the prophet and he became racist toward colored and Irish people. It is shown in the game in first chapter when Booker earns his prize by raffle which was throwing a ball toward a couple because they were not from same race. Racism and xenophobia were existed in that time but it seems plausible to me that Ken Levine is trying to tell the audience that it is still causing problem in modern times America.(...)
I
Bioshock infinite how game uses architecture
to creating a political voice?
ideal society?
Introduction of Bioshock and elements
Bioshock Infinite was published in 2013 and designed by Ken Levine. It is a first person shooter set on an Imaginary city called Columbia built in 1893 which it was inspired by a historical event from World's Columbia Exposition placed in Chicago on 1893. After succession of the Crystal palace exhibition in London which it was the first world exhibition, US government needed to plan theirs because at that time after Chicago’s wild fire on October 8, 1871, city needed an event to reconstruct their city and unite people together because they had clashed between classes. Therefore it was planned to celebrate 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of the America in Chicago. It quickly became a symbol of American Exceptionalism because of its scale was greater than other world’s fair. According to encyclopedia of Chicago history fair was referred as a white city because most temporary buildings are designed in white neoclassical style. (Encyclopedia 2016) In the story Columbia was created by a man called Zachary Hale Comstock with support from government to show the world power of America. It seems plausible that it is characterized city on what world’s Columbian exposition tried to achieve in 1893. It is formed with multiple vertical colonial architectural buildings blocks but they are not in horizontal level. It almost looks like segments of 19th century architecture and neoclassical buildings are forming up a city block together. Also underneath of buildings there are steampunk looking machine supporting the ground. According to the Encyclopedia SF steampunk is a sub-genre of alternative history science fiction based on nineteenth century era which is set on idea of Belle Époque. It is the period of time when development of technology brought very optimistic atmosphere with inventions such as automobile, telephone and aeroplane. Interestingly it is based on a theory of alternative history which is coming from a theory of quantum mechanics. In quantum mechanics theory it explains about status of possibilities existing in one place at the same time. It is a scientific law trying to describe unusual behavior of atoms. For example scientists did experiment called double slit experiment which is a test firing particles such as electron to a gaps. From this test they found out an atom exists in two different spaces without splitting themselves however when they put observer it did not happen. One of scientist tried to explain this phenomenon by saying "Only conscious mind can be observers who create very existence of reality of own otherwise we maintain one of expanding possibilities with nothing actually happening." This conceptual idea leads to an idea of parallel universe because it is about different universes divide by possibilities. For example another famous experiment called Schrodinger's cat done by Schrodinger it is about a box with cat inside and a device is set which contains deadly poison that can be triggered with 50% chance. Status of cat is unknown until observer is opens the box and as It is impossible to check therefore Schrodinger state there are two different universe existing in the box which one with dead cat and the other one with healthy cat. Bioshock infinite is about another possible alternative universe where scientist called Rosalind Lutece invented a device which can fix atoms in place then it is being used to support Columbia on air. As this world is based on real historical time objects that reminding of our current world can be found for example in the city flying machines are easily spotted because it reflects astonishing invention of aeroplane by Wright brothers at that time.
Architecture in the game
At the beginning of the game main character named Booker Dewitt enters a lighthouse about 25m height with 5 floors to enter the Columbia because he received a mission to bring a girl called Elizabeth to mysteries man to wipe his debt away. In the light house each floor display objects that reminding of previous games but it also gives warning sign of what may happen in the game later on for example on the third floor there is a dead man tied up to a chair with a message on his chest “Do not disappoint us”. When he enters a top floor then set on a chair after entering password which it is turns out to be a rocket. It starts to rise through dark thunderstorm with a face of horror reflected on the window then after assentation player have a view of the city for the first time. In the city natural lights sine through clouds lighten up buildings which makes it looks like the city colored in white as World’s Columbia exposition used to be called the white city. Then he enters a building through a vertical tunnel which it looks like a watch tower because of large gears spinning in the square tower. Interesting thing is that religious quotes are written on the panels about new Eden indicating Columbia is the one. After descending through the building he enters inside a church floor fill with water and neoclassical pillars stand aside with candles as only working light sources in the building. In the background there is a song called will the circle be unbroken repeating itself which it seems reminding player that this is a church because unlike traditional Christianity church this one is about the one prophet called Comstock and his prophecy. This seems to be a representation of Mormonism in America because of similarities between those two for example they both accept existence of the prophet and they tried to create utopian society. It seems designer of the game may have selected Mormonism because game is heavily based on American exceptionalism. It was founded by Joseph Smith in the 1820s because he claims other brunches of Christianity were corrupted. Similar to this Comstock sees America as a corrupted country then he decides to separate Columbia from it. Furthermore according to game’s record he received message from an archangel of god named Columbia which is similar to what Joseph Smith had experienced.
I am personally interested in the first chapter because architecture is being used to describe what is a ideal society would looks like. Architecturally in my opinion the water church part is very important in the narrative because it seems to represent a gateway which try to separate from current world which is why it has water on the floor. According to Nicholas Pokhilko he stated that Water in Christianity it is used as a symbol of life as well as a means of cleansing or purification is of particular importance in the old testament.(Reference) This idea becomes more clear when he enters a large chamber which has neoclassical arches with water filled up to ankle level. He founds out large crowed of prayers can be found in front of the gate toward the city which looks like a tube with arches but then he found out the only way getting into a city is to get baptized by Preacher Witting. It seems at this point When Booker is drowned then he wakes up in an office which it seems to be private detective office with very little natural light. There is a desk in the room with alcohols bottles, cards and cigarette boxes are lying around but beside that room does not have much furniture for its size. On the wall next to the only door to another room except front door military medals which indicate that he is previously served in 7th cavalry unit. After short while from the front door a strange male voice can be heard with sound of banging the door demanding to player to open the door. It seems to me that it reflects on American history because in the game Booker Dewitt served in army and discharged with medal which he earned from Wounded Knee massacre which it happened on 1890 where 500 U.S cavalry soldiers killed 120 unarmed American natives.This was a turning point for him because in the game he found out Comstock is actually himself in different universe. After the discharge Booker Dewitt visited Preacher Witting who is a priest in that moment two possible world was created one with accepting the baptizing and forget his sin then one he refuses. Booker Dewitt did not accept this and he lived in a PTSD which it seems to reflect on American soldier’s life style after a war. On the other hand he became new person by washing away his sin and believing himself as the prophet and he became racist toward colored and Irish people. It is shown in the game in first chapter when Booker earns his prize by raffle which was throwing a ball toward a couple because they were not from same race. Racism and xenophobia were existed in that time but it seems plausible to me that Ken Levine is trying to tell the audience that it is still causing problem in modern times America.(...)
I
chapter 4
Masseffect
Explain about space opera
Space opera originally was originally SF sub-genre according to Wilson Tucker in 1941 he named space opera after "soap operas" which is morning series in USA where it broadcast through Radio in daytime targeting housewives and "horse operas" which is westerns movies.(reference) He describes it as a "Hacky, grinding, stinking, outworn, spaceship yarn. To differentiate itself to typical western movies it usually has magical forces for example famous movie Star wars series have invisible power called force is one of main power to make a character special. Unlike alternative universe it is usually set on far future where traditional aspect of earth is faded into a new architectural style.
Mass
effect series are computer generated 3D TPS (thrid person shooter) video game
developed in 2007 by Bioware. It is set on far future on 2148 when human race found
an alien ruins made by spacefaring race called 'Prothean' on mars. Human were able to extract secrets of mass effect physics and element zero which are both needed to develop faster than light travel.(masseffect.wikia.com) After that scout found mass relay system during searching on Pluto’s moon
'Charon' as it turns out to be prothean’s
old mass relay. It was designed for interstellar travel and human began its journey toward space age. After years later human found an alien council
formed in a large architecture called Citadel and create embassy on it. Narrative begins as a
human soilder Lieutenant Commander Shepard
who were traveling toward human colony called Eden Prime with a secret mission.
Throughout the game player can interact with several alien species to
communicate and fight them as an enemy. It add special atmosphere to the
game and make easier for play to combine with this space opera. During
missions player can chose a way of conversation with chose-able context
which can lead to aggression or peaceful way to sort the problem in the
game. The game has two different stage in between mission Adventure and
combat. In adventure stage character is going around inside of citadel
or ship to found out more information about mission or improve
relationship with people. In action stage it is a typical third person
shooter but player can cover him behind the wall or an object to avoid
projectiles. Most of adventure stage is based on Citadel where player
spend most of time to interact with other alien species.
Space opera originally was originally SF sub-genre according to Wilson Tucker in 1941 he named space opera after "soap operas" which is morning series in USA where it broadcast through Radio in daytime targeting housewives and "horse operas" which is westerns movies.(reference) He describes it as a "Hacky, grinding, stinking, outworn, spaceship yarn. To differentiate itself to typical western movies it usually has magical forces for example famous movie Star wars series have invisible power called force is one of main power to make a character special. Unlike alternative universe it is usually set on far future where traditional aspect of earth is faded into a new architectural style.
Introduce mass effect
Elements of mass effect
In the game it is hard to get a clear idea of the scale in the spaces because it is restricted to narrow path due to software limitation but background seems to have endless spaces. When Shepard arrive at Citadel there are not enough clear indicate to direct location to get a quest so most people are actually getting lost in first place. It is interesting because of most games have visual guide that direct to destination instead mass effect have dialogue system to found out. It is a similar experience to when people travel to different city in our own world.
Throughout the game play stage of it constantly change to different environment with different architectural style. For example on a planet called Noveria it shows highly secured advance research facilities on a white snowy mount. It is isolated from any other building which indicates that this space is not for the public. It has a minimalistic style out layer however it is constructed with tough material which makes it looks like a bunker. On the other hand Illium is showing multicultural highly advanced dense city with pointy high-rises buildings.
Architecture in the game
In the game Citadel is working as crucial point for its narrative for example throught mass effect series it is working as a connection point. According to a Derek Watts It is inspired by NASA's 1975 design of space settlement which it is called Stanford torus. Citadel is a huge space station with total length of 44.7km with large central ring with 7.2 km connected to five arms that each have 43.6km and 330m thick (masseffect.wikia) The circle part which is called Presidum that originally comes from a latin word Praesidium meaning of fort have different architectural style then arms parts which is known as a wards. For example wards is described as a large metropolitan city formed with pointy skyscrapers but it seems to industrised due to uses of heavy metal and no sign of plantation on the ground. It seems clear that it also got inspired by Syd Mead
Citedal = America / Discovered by one race and joined by others (Multinational)
Prediction of space life style in mass effect
Mass effect architectural style is generally based on minimalistic style which is very plane and clean surface. This game is a visual trail where minimal could take us in a future. Most of planet has Le Corbusier’s radiant city style where most of city function is heavily focused on to a large scale tall building.
why developer chose the mars as a important starting point of human space age in the game?
Mars has been closest planets to earth and brightest one beside sun and moon in our solar system. In the past it was a symbol of a war in fact it is named after a god of war in Greece because is it red which remind people of blood. In modern days it brought imaginative ideas of alien species because it has a lot of similarities with our world Earth.
Story is based on Cosmic horror (Human feels fear when we encounter a unknown, Fear of the space which is unexplained large area beyond our imaginary) How does game try to show this spatially? ( annomous size of alienship, buildings )
Conclusion
Game industry is a already hugely grown mass market and yet still
under valued for a complex combined art work including architecture.
According to Jon Astbury, the Architectural Review editor he stated that
architecture, mother of all the arts, and video gaming, the
media-mocked, juvenile time-waster – despite their polarised public
status the two would seem destined to work together.
(architectural-review 2016) It is strange that some of media is still
considering a game as a simple time waster or even more harmful drug for
example according to Korean economic news it stated that Korean
government are treating game as a one of addictive object like a alcohol
with a policy called shutdown law which are restrictions for underage
citizen. It is weird to see that there are tight restriction is existing
even game industry have a huge economical potential. It is similar
situation with architecture industry because it seems there are not many
working cases with an architect in game designing. There are large
potential in association between two industries
Media usually mock games as a juvenile time waster however it is becoming important media to deliver narrative.
Media usually mock games as a juvenile time waster however it is becoming important media to deliver narrative.
Architects and game designers can work together to create better virtual spaces within a narrative.
Science fiction games are useful tool to test out spatial ideas on a virtual space.
Game can be another opportunity for archtiect to work
Game can be another opportunity for archtiect to work
Book
What is Digital cinema? By Lev Manovich
History of Science fiction
Architecture from the outside by Elizabeth Grosz :http://projectlamar.com/media/groszarchitecture.pdf
Interactive Cinema is an oxymoron, but may not always be by Kevin veale : http://gamestudies.org/1201/articles/veale
https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/t/tocqueville/alexis/democracy/complete.html
Article
Article
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http://www.mtv.com/news/2463193/ken-levine-talks-vigors-nostrums-and-major-gameplay-changes-for-bioshock-infinite/
http://www.arquiscopio.com/pensamiento/architects-and-cinema/?lang=en
http://www.cinemablend.com/games/75-Gamers-Say-Graphics-Do-Matter-Purchasing-Game-64659.html
http://www.cinemablend.com/games/75-Gamers-Say-Graphics-Do-Matter-Purchasing-Game-64659.html
http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1386.html
http://www.theesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/VideoGames21stCentury_2014.pdf
http://www.livescience.com/32811-why-is-the-bald-eagle-americas-national-bird-.html
http://www.skyvoice.org/sk/index.php?mid=board_zEVP46&document_srl=44425&listStyle=viewer
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/bioshock-infinite-ken-levine-talks-about-his-new-video-game/?_r=0
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/12/07/bioshock-infinite-preview-devil-in-the-flying-city/
http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DeannaVanBuren/20151012/254238/Architecture_in_Video_Games_Designing_for_Impact.php
http://www.architectural-review.com/rethink/playing-the-architect-why-video-games-and-architecture-need-each-other/8664135.fullarticle
http://www.archdaily.com/769250/which-video-games-have-the-best-architecture
https://sites.google.com/site/waterinchristianity/
http://ivehadanepiphany.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/what-is-baptism.html
http://www.dualshockers.com/2014/11/07/beautiful-next-mass-effect-concept-art-shown-showcasing-the-mako-and-beautiful-environments/
http://kotaku.com/the-one-man-who-influenced-mass-effect-more-than-anyone-471882745
http://www.popmythology.com/the-religion-of-mass-effect/
http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect
http://www.cnet.com/news/south-korean-government-to-debate-game-addiction-law/
http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2014111160271
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32996009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4pqEiEsZ9g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h91JphAYt4M
Image
https://speakertoanimals.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/death-star.jpg?w=675&h=381
http://www.donaldedavis.com/BIGPUB/STANTRUS.jpg
http://socks-studio.com/img/blog/abalakin-800.jpeg
http://www.donaldedavis.com/BIGPUB/STANTRUS.jpg
http://www.iamag.co/features/itsart/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Syd-mead-8-1024x480.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Woundedknee1891.jpg
http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/First-Vision1.jpg
http://www.askamathematician.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cat.jpg
https://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/files/page/attachments/DoubleSlit_Experiment_large.jpg
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/bioshock/images/7/7e/The_Flying_City_of_Columbia.png/revision/latest?cb=20130512002726
http://backstoryradio.org/files/2014/12/1-White-City.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/wbtdnp.jpg
http://sydmead.com/v/12/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/WEBvrsnTOMRRWLND.jpg
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/wolfenstein/images/d/d2/London_Nautica_1960_Winter.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150327135606
http://www.livescience.com/32811-why-is-the-bald-eagle-americas-national-bird-.html
http://www.skyvoice.org/sk/index.php?mid=board_zEVP46&document_srl=44425&listStyle=viewer
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/bioshock-infinite-ken-levine-talks-about-his-new-video-game/?_r=0
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/12/07/bioshock-infinite-preview-devil-in-the-flying-city/
http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DeannaVanBuren/20151012/254238/Architecture_in_Video_Games_Designing_for_Impact.php
http://www.architectural-review.com/rethink/playing-the-architect-why-video-games-and-architecture-need-each-other/8664135.fullarticle
http://www.archdaily.com/769250/which-video-games-have-the-best-architecture
https://sites.google.com/site/waterinchristianity/
http://ivehadanepiphany.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/what-is-baptism.html
http://www.dualshockers.com/2014/11/07/beautiful-next-mass-effect-concept-art-shown-showcasing-the-mako-and-beautiful-environments/
http://kotaku.com/the-one-man-who-influenced-mass-effect-more-than-anyone-471882745
http://www.popmythology.com/the-religion-of-mass-effect/
http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect
http://www.cnet.com/news/south-korean-government-to-debate-game-addiction-law/
http://www.hankyung.com/news/app/newsview.php?aid=2014111160271
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32996009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4pqEiEsZ9g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h91JphAYt4M
Image
https://speakertoanimals.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/death-star.jpg?w=675&h=381
http://www.donaldedavis.com/BIGPUB/STANTRUS.jpg
http://socks-studio.com/img/blog/abalakin-800.jpeg
http://www.donaldedavis.com/BIGPUB/STANTRUS.jpg
http://www.iamag.co/features/itsart/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Syd-mead-8-1024x480.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Woundedknee1891.jpg
http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/First-Vision1.jpg
http://www.askamathematician.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cat.jpg
https://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/files/page/attachments/DoubleSlit_Experiment_large.jpg
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/bioshock/images/7/7e/The_Flying_City_of_Columbia.png/revision/latest?cb=20130512002726
http://backstoryradio.org/files/2014/12/1-White-City.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/wbtdnp.jpg
http://sydmead.com/v/12/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/WEBvrsnTOMRRWLND.jpg
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/wolfenstein/images/d/d2/London_Nautica_1960_Winter.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150327135606
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