107-426 Computer Games:Interactive Spectatorship

Formerly available as 107-089. Students who have completed 107-089 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 37.5 points of second/third-year cinema studies for third year, see Prerequisites. Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in cinema studies, see Honours entry.

This subject will analyse the dramatic impact that computer games and digital technology have had in transforming visual and narrative forms of audience reception. Part of the subject will deal with the historical development of computer gaming as it moves closer to virtual technology. Industry and aesthetic connections with the cinema will be explored, as will the game genres' transformation of cinematic, and other entertainments, genres. Students should complete the subject with an understanding of the historical development of computer game forms, genres and technological capabilities, and be able to critically evaluate the applicability of various theoretical models, such as theories of spectatorship, myth, hypertext to computer game technology.

Written work totalling 4000 words for 3rd year, 5000 words for 4th year.