What are the key components of Postmodernism?
As defined, postmodernism is “a late-20th-century style and concept…which represents a departure from modernism and has at its heart a general distrust of grand theories” (Anon,(2017). Essentially, postmodernism as a style attempts to stand out and distinct itself from standard forms of expression as a means of challenging and critiquing physical representations of the world. Postmodernism is present within architecture, art, literature and even within the games industry, the movement itself is present wherever a form of expression can be made. The movement itself has ideas which fuel it, within the style artists “challenges all truths and concludes that there is no such thing”(Anon, 2017). Instead postmodernists believe that the concept of true or false are merely deceptions used by some to achieve power over others. Postmodernists additionally attempt to “rely on opinions”(Anon, 2017) and beliefs as opposed to raw facts, again this is done to challenge the norm of society. Within art, postmodern artists are shown to; combine previous art styles, simplify art, use text and collage, display art through the medium of video, present art through performance, and the list goes on. These different and unique postmodern mediums and techniques attempt to present thought provoking imagery that confronts the authority and traditionally held claims within society.
(Source: Tracey emins, (1998), http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/emin-my-bed-l03662)
For example, Tracey Emin’s contemporary installation work, titled “My Bed” for instance would fall under the category of postmodernism. Her simplified work created uproar and complaints, as many critiqued her work to be lacking within the art world.
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What Games do you think exemplify this in their design decisions?
Postmodernism is no stranger to the gaming world either. Game designers can question the normal perception one may have of our surrounding world, and instead present fantasy imaginative ideology or views on society through an interactive playable game. For me a notable game which is a great example of postmodernism within game design is Assassins Creed. The game franchise, is dominantly story based and revolves around conflict between two groups, the Assassin’s Creed and the Templars. The game is an analogy for uprisings against authority, the Templars represent groups seeking power and dominance over the general masses, whilst the creed stand for free will and independent control over actions. The Creed itself within the game was associated a very postmodern motto to fight and die for:
“Where others blindly believe what they are told, remember: Nothing is True. Where others are hindered by morality and the law, remember: Everything is permitted”
The game itself screams postmodernism! Themes of good and evil are always present alongside the overall message to think for yourself and to question figures with authority and command. However, although the philosophical implications of post modernism are present within the franchise, if the game designers and developers of the franchise intentionally did this, “remains, in true postmodern fashion, a “maybe”” (Max Heiliger, 2013/14).
( Source: http://vsbattles.wikia.com/wiki/Assassin%27s_Creed )
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Referencing List:
Anon, Oxford Dictionaries | English. 2017. postmodernism | Definition of postmodernism in English by Oxford Dictionaries. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/postmodernism. [Accessed 18 October 2017].
Anon, Postmodernism and Truth. 2017. Postmodernism and Truth. [ONLINE] Available at: http://changingminds.org/explanations/critical_theory/concepts/postmodernism_truth.htm. [Accessed 18 October 2017].
Anon, AllAboutPhilosophy.org. 2017. Characteristics of Postmodernism. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/characteristics-of-postmodernism-faq.htm. [Accessed 18 October 2017].
Max Heiliger, (2013/14), – Academia.edu. 2017. Postmodern Influences in the Assassin’s Creed Franchise | Max Heiliger – Academia.edu. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.academia.edu/8309661/Postmodern_Influences_in_the_Assassins_Creed_Franchise. [Accessed 19 October 2017].