Play and the Exhibition: The problematic fun of showcasing of videogames in informal and formal contexts

Abstract

This paper contributes to the developing body of videogame exhibition knowledge by evaluating the methods utilised within informal and formal contexts of videogames exhibition from the perspective of reception theory. The study of both large-scale exhibitions such as those by the Victoria and Albert museum and the Smithsonian American Art Museum alongside the one-night indie game night is a unique contribution to the field, with studies typically focussing on one given context. Reception theory and the hermeneutic circle provide lenses through which the active participative role of the player/reader in meaning-making can be evaluated. Exhibition method analysis across formal and informal contexts allows modelling of a connection between the need for player/reader specialist knowledge and the resulting co-participation in meaning-making possible. These models suggest the ways that exhibition methods and settings can shape audience profiles and the potential for co-participation. The results of this study may provide curators and game developers with alternative modes of thinking about player/reader meaning co-participation across exhibition and audience contexts.

Contributors

Gregor White

Lynn H. C Love

Clare Brennan

Conference

Publication date: July 2020

Publication date (Print): July 2020

Pages: 40-47

Affiliations

Abertay University

Bell Street, Dundee, UK

Article

DOI: 10.14236/ewic/EVA2020.6

Copyright statement: © White et al. Published by BCS Learning and Development Ltd. Proceedings of EVA London 2020

License:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Conference name: Proceedings of EVA London 2020

Conference acronym: EVA 2020

Conference number: 30

Conference location: London

Conference date: 6th July – 9th July 2020

Conference sponsor: Electronic Workshops in Computing (eWiC)

Conference theme: AI and the Arts: Artificial Imagination

Product

Product Information: 1477-9358 BCS Learning and Development Ltd

Self URI (article page): https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.14236/ewic/EVA2020.6

Self URI (journal page): https://ewic.bcs.org/

Categories

Series title: Electronic Workshops in Computing