Self-reflexive videogames: observations and corollaries on virtual worlds as philosophical artifacts

Abstract

Self-reflexive videogames are videogames designed to materialize critical and/or satirical perspectives on the ways in which videogames themselves are designed, played, sold, manipulated, experienced, and understood as social objects. This essay focuses on the use of virtual worlds as mediators, and in particular on the use of videogames to guide and encourage reflections on technical, interactive, and thematic conventions in videogame design and development.

Keywords

• video game
• critical design
• philosophy
• virtual worlds
• self-reflexivity