Why Video Games Matter in Humanities
Croxall emphasizes that video games are as complex, immersive, and beautiful as traditional art forms. He asks, "Why play games? Why on earth wouldn't we?" Call connects his work on 17th-century France to video games, highlighting how the development of quantitative probability by French mathematicians during that period revolutionized various aspects of life, including gaming. He notes the large disparity between the cultural importance of video games and their study on campus, which led to the creation of the lecture series.Professors with expertise in literary studies, philosophy, and visual arts bring their knowledge to the lectures, applying their theorization to different video games. Call enjoys seeing the connections his colleagues make between their expertise and the chosen games. He believes that video games represent a new medium that is contributing to the cultural conversation in interesting ways.
Analyzing video games from a humanities perspective enables students to ask questions similar to those for novels or paintings. They can explore what arguments the game makes and how it relates to contemporary issues. As a humanities professor, Call is fascinated by witnessing the birth and development of a new form of human expression.
The Impact of Humanities on Video Games
By applying humanities approaches, students gain a deeper understanding of video games. They can explore the cultural significance, the creative elements, and the ways in which games reflect and shape human experiences. This perspective allows for a more comprehensive analysis than just focusing on gameplay or technical aspects.For example, in analyzing Stardew Valley, students can consider how the game's design reflects social and economic aspects of human life. They can discuss the themes of community, work, and self-sufficiency that are present in the game. Similarly, when looking at Minecraft, the focus can be on how the game encourages creativity and exploration, and how it relates to concepts of architecture and spatial design.
The humanities also help students develop critical thinking skills as they engage with video games. They learn to analyze the messages and values conveyed by the games and to compare them to other forms of human expression. This interdisciplinary approach enriches the study of video games and provides a more holistic understanding of their significance.
The Future of Video Game Studies in Humanities
The success of this approach suggests a promising future for video game studies within the humanities. As more professors and students embrace this perspective, the field will continue to grow and evolve.It opens up new avenues for research and exploration, allowing for a more diverse range of questions and analyses. Video games are no longer seen as mere entertainment but as important cultural artifacts that deserve careful study and interpretation.
With the continued integration of humanities perspectives into video game studies, we can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the role that games play in our lives and in society as a whole. This will lead to more meaningful discussions and a greater appreciation for the creative and cultural value of video games.
"Keith David's Hopes for a New Halo Adventure with the Arbiter"
Keith David's Halo Journey
In 2004's Halo 2, David brought the Arbiter to life with his powerful voice. This role was further reprised in 2007's Halo 3 and 2015's Halo 5: Guardians. His voice has become synonymous with the Halo universe, leaving a lasting impact on fans. Beyond Halo, David is renowned for voicing David Anderson in the Mass Effect series and the self-referential Vice President Keith David in Saints Row IV. This year, he took on the role of Commander Zavala in Destiny 2, succeeding the late Lance Reddick. His diverse voice acting career extends far beyond the gaming world, with notable appearances in films like Armageddon, The Thing, They Live, and Platoon.The Future of Halo Games
It recently came to light that Microsoft was considering parting ways with Master Chief voice actor Steve Downes and Cortana actress Jen Taylor for Halo 4. However, Downes revealed that Microsoft decided to bring them back after test audiences didn't respond favorably to the replacement actors. This year, Microsoft announced that 343 Industries had changed its name to Halo Studios and that multiple new Halo games were in the works, being developed using Unreal Engine 5. Although no games have been officially announced yet, Microsoft has released footage from a demo called Project Foundry, showcasing the potential of Halo running on Epic's Unreal Engine.The latest Halo game, 2021's Halo: Infinite, made a splash upon its debut with record-breaking numbers thanks to Game Pass. But since then, its popularity has somewhat cooled. Microsoft's new Halo leadership is now striving to distance itself from Halo Infinite, stating that the development approach of that game represented the "last remnant" of how Halo games were made. They emphasize that they are changing their recipe for future projects, aiming to bring a fresh perspective to the franchise.