Short answer
Consider the broader cultural and critical reception of your design, not just its functional or entertainment value, to influence its perceived artistic merit.
- Field
- Classic Design
- Source
- YorkSpace (York University) (2014)
- Method
- Case study analysis
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Digital games are gradually being recognized as a legitimate art form through a complex process involving creators, audiences, critics, and cultural institutions. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in YorkSpace (York University). Using Case study analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Consider the broader cultural and critical reception of your design, not just its functional or entertainment value, to influence its perceived artistic merit.
Digital Games Evolving Towards Art: A Study in Cultural Legitimation
Digital games are gradually being recognized as a legitimate art form through a complex process involving creators, audiences, critics, and cultural institutions.
YorkSpace (York University) · 2014
Key Findings
- 01The legitimation of digital games as art is an ongoing, collective process involving multiple stakeholders.
- 02Different contexts and types of games (commercial vs. independent) employ distinct strategies to achieve artistic status.
- 03Critical discourse and audience reception play significant roles in shaping the perception of games as art.
Application
Design takeaway
Consider the broader cultural and critical reception of your design, not just its functional or entertainment value, to influence its perceived artistic merit.
How to apply
Analyze how critical reviews, academic discussions, and player communities are framing the artistic value of contemporary digital games.
Project actions
- 01When discussing your design, consider how it might be perceived through an artistic lens.
- 02Research existing critical discussions about similar design projects to understand how legitimacy is built.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a nuanced framework for understanding the complex process of art legitimation.
- +Uses diverse case studies to illustrate the concept in practice.
Limitations
The study's focus on a specific time frame might limit its applicability to very recent developments in digital game art.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is supported by its theoretical framework and diverse case studies. Reliability would depend on the replicability of the qualitative analysis of discourse and reception.
Think critically
To what extent does the commercial success of a digital game influence its perceived artistic legitimacy?
Design Principles
"Artistic legitimacy is co-created through social interaction and critical discourse."
Understanding this legitimation process is crucial for designers and creators in the digital game industry. It highlights how the perception and acceptance of games as art are shaped by social, cultural, and critical discourse, influencing design choices and market positioning.
What This Means for Your Design
Games are becoming more like art because people are talking about them as art, and this conversation involves game makers, players, and critics.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to support arguments about the cultural significance or artistic potential of your design project.
- 2.Reference the concept of 'legitimation' when discussing how your design might be received by different audiences or critics.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The legitimation of digital games as art, as explored by Parker (2014), demonstrates that artistic status is not inherent but is actively constructed through collective action and discourse among creators, audiences, and critics. This process involves various stakeholders and contexts, highlighting how cultural forms evolve and gain acceptance over time.
Source
YorkSpace (York University)
Playing Games with Art: The Cultural and Aesthetic Legitimation of Digital Games
journal · 2014
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about digital games evolving towards art: a study in cultural legitimation?
- Consider the broader cultural and critical reception of your design, not just its functional or entertainment value, to influence its perceived artistic merit. Evidence: YorkSpace (York University) (2014).
- Why does "Digital Games Evolving Towards Art: A Study in Cultural Legitimation" matter for design?
- Understanding this legitimation process is crucial for designers and creators in the digital game industry. It highlights how the perception and acceptance of games as art are shaped by social, cultural, and critical discourse, influencing design choices and market positioning.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Consider the broader cultural and critical reception of your design, not just its functional or entertainment value, to influence its perceived artistic merit.
- What were the main findings?
- The legitimation of digital games as art is an ongoing, collective process involving multiple stakeholders.. Different contexts and types of games (commercial vs. independent) employ distinct strategies to achieve artistic status.. Critical discourse and audience reception play significant roles in shaping the perception of games as art.
- What research method was used?
- Case study analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2014 journal from YorkSpace (York University).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Analyze how critical reviews, academic discussions, and player communities are framing the artistic value of contemporary digital games.
- What are the limitations?
- Focuses on a specific historical period (2005-2010) and may not fully capture current trends in game legitimation.