Video Game Aesthetics

Video games, along with computer graphics and web design, are techno-artistic hybrids in which the technological basis is not only a tool for creating an art product, but is also included in the artistic content and aesthetic properties of the work.

Computer games are gradually recognized as an art form: in France in 2006, in Germany in 2008, in the USA in 2011. The perception of games is becoming more widespread, for example, even in Russia there have already been published scientific works that consider computer games as art. Video games are a kind of popular art, therefore they gain their specific aesthetic qualities, therefore it can be concluded that computer games have their own aesthetics that flow in the field of virtual art culture.

This is a set of genres that immerse the viewer in a completely new space for the work with the help of technical means and interactivity. The main distinguishing feature of virtual art culture is the inclusion of the viewer in the space of this culture. Thanks to the virtual art culture, reality can be expanded, it includes those characteristics that are necessary for the implementation of the creative intent of the creator or creators of this reality. Virtual art culture acts as a means of remodeling reality in accordance with the idea, which should be conveyed through artistic means.

1. Video games must be subject to the criteria of the genre and trends of popular culture .

2. Of particular aesthetic value is the visual embodiment of the game - this is one of the most important elements of the commercial success of games. The visual side of games is distinguished by a special kind of “beauty” , which differs from both painting and cinema, but at the same time it borrows a lot of them (plans, compositional solutions, special effects, music), especially recently with the development of technologies, for example , the use of movie tools to create a mood, represent the main narrative .

3. Currently, massive video games are characterized by high-quality graphics, which are attractive for visual perception, it should create high-quality illusions: spaces, real-time actions, handling objects, interacting with characters, be dynamic so that the player receives visual pleasure, therefore, common the aesthetic principle is the desire for maximum realism and credibility of the image of the object, which should look real. With the development of VR-technology , a new stage in the development of electronic games and their aesthetic qualities.

4. A special feature of the aesthetics of video games is the use of spatial narrative - a computer game is subordinate to the structure of the space in which it occurs. The plot of video games occurs as the development of the game space. The aesthetic fullness of video games is realized only when the space of the game is best combined with the time aspect of the game.

5. Games must have meaningful cultural content. The virtual world should be endowed with a culture with its own meanings and values, so games often use historical subjects, the aesthetics of films, series, eras. The development of video games combines both improved visual features and semantic load.

1. Galkin D.V. Computer games as a phenomenon of modern culture: the experience of interdisciplinary research // Tomsk State University Journal. Tom. state un-that. 2007.No 3.
2. Yugay I. I. Computer game as a form of artistic practice // Proceedings of the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen. 2007.No 37.