[game_preservation] Game Canon
Andrew Armstrong
andrew at aarmstrong.org
Wed Aug 4 04:48:48 EDT 2010
This is what is necessary since we already have almost fact-like books
(and while we need more of this it is a continual effort - here it is a
bit more focused); in any case we could organise something through the
SIG if we were going to start on such lists.
Andrew
On 04/08/2010 01:58, Rowan Kaiser wrote:
> The main way that I think canons or Halls of Fame or lists of best
> ever work is if there's some kind of lens. Simple subjectivity is one
> way to go about it, but there are other ways. The initial list you
> linked to, Andrew, had a fairly interesting one in that it seemed to
> be aimed at aspiring designers. This allows bad games as well as good
> on the list, entertainingly. It had some organizational and editorial
> problems, but I think that's a fascinating concept, especially as it
> brings in non-video games.
>
> One idea that I've had for a long time is an encyclopedia of video
> games. But not like a Britannica or World Book where it's ostensibly a
> collection of facts presented in a neutral voice, but like some of the
> film encyclopedias which present a series of essays on each of their
> subjects. This allows for more interesting opinions, more diverse
> forms of writing or argument, and, at least conceptually, a sort of
> user-generated canon. Maybe I don't care about, say, The Legend of
> Dragoon, but one of its fans can write convincingly about why it's
> interesting or important. Likewise, a game like Starcraft is important
> in completely different ways to completely different people. One essay
> could talk about its role in competitive gaming, while another focuses
> on its interesting use of narrative for a strategy game.
>
>
> Rowan
>
> On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 4:08 PM, Andrew Armstrong
> <andrew at aarmstrong.org <mailto:andrew at aarmstrong.org>> wrote:
>
> Replying to everyone here at once; I agree with everyone! Firstly;
> Canon should be expansive - why not if we can do so? :D However,
> the degree which it is classified Canon is just so that it isn't
> /everything/, and probably it'd take both influential (ala Bill
> and Matts work, although their website goes a lot deeper!) and the
> pioneers and tech instigators. Like other technology mediums,
> there is a lot of good first attempts, with the polishers really
> shining it later for real use, but both are important.
>
> Secondly; that list was just an example which sprung this idea
> again - that there are tons of appendixes and short lists of games
> without the kind of historical context most people here recognise,
> thus have massive flaws. Daikatana? Trespasser? Both perhaps good
> examples of some really poor design, even if it tries to pioneer
> some aspect or other, but otherwise only interesting at all in how
> bad they are. Even Lets Play's of these games are notorious! Not
> quite canon material perhaps, but it does depend...they'd have
> their place but it'd be low down the list.
>
> The IGN list is actually surprisingly interesting for noting the
> pioneers and influencers, even if it is very boring, and also
> oddly not really complete or in depth (it again is like a book
> appendix, and has similar issues with the choices in games
> perhaps, but so does anything!).
>
> Thirdly; That is great news Henry that you've still got it on your
> mind. I'm certainly up for helping whatever effort. It would be
> the case that a great step would be to get the LoC to consider
> games properly. I could check out the UK scene on it too, and I am
> sure some other European institutions might be interested since
> they preserve films but not games as such (we can assume the
> actual game museums/archives will protect them but they of course
> need to be notified of these important games too :) so a list is
> always good). Even just getting them on board to protect the
> actual media if not much ephemera would work wonders for posterity.
>
> In any case, glad there is some interest, however minor! I think
> the easiest part for many people is arguing why a game is really,
> really important in a good way - which is the major first step. I
> said perhaps start small, and this is mainly because if anything,
> the IGN list shows that even a small few-paragraph description of
> "why" is a good starting point for further investigation.
>
> Andrew
>
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