How are video games postmodern?

How are video games postmodern?

Video games are a different media text to music video or print products like a magazine. Video games allow the audience to be fully part of the game, and control the game on their terms. Video games have many different elements which can make the postmodern.

I will be using The Sims as my case study to discuss that video game are postmodern, firstly The Sims is a life – simulation computer game which was developed by maxis and published by electronic art. It was created by game designer Will Wright also known as developing SimCity. It is a simulation of the daily activities for a one or more virtual people known as Sims in a suburban household near SimCity.

There are many aspects with make The Sims a postmodern as it used many elements of postmodern within the video game such as:

·         Hyper-reality

The Sims is a role playing game which means that the audience can create a character of them, or create someone completely different. For example James could be plump old women when he is none of those things in real life. This is postmodern because the audience can place a different version of themselves which they control, from the way they walk to what they say and where they go to what they look like. Baudrillard argued that a simulacrum is not a copy of the real but becomes truth in its own way, therefore being hyper – reality.

·         Instantaneity

‘The Sims’ has instantaneity with in the game as the audience is able to cheat.  For example ‘The Sims’ has money called Simoleons and you can cheat for gain §50,000 or §1000.  Rather than working hard to get rich with your Sim you can instantly be wealth in a matter of minutes. This become postmodern because in it cheats however in real circumstances it wouldn’t be an option. The game therefore also has time bending due to cheats.

·         Intertextuality

‘The Sims’ is intertextuality in its aim to become real simulated life.  By incorporating things like TV programmes and Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) it tries to create its own world.

·         Self-reflexivity

Your Sims can play ‘The Sims’ on there computer.  This is self-reflexive.  Furthermore the Sims addresses the camera and stare at you if they need something e.g. they need food because they are hungry.  This is self-reflexive because they know they are being controlled.  Also it is self-reflexive of yourself as it’s meant to be a projection of yourself into the game.