FROM 'PACMAN' TO 'ESCAPE FROM WOOMERA
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21/5/2003 |
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Susan Kukucka (THE PROGRAM) |
The computer game industry is so hot right now! The Victorian State government claims that $1 million per day is spent on computer games in Victoria alone.
The computer game industry is so hot right now! The Victorian State government claims that $1 million per day is spent on computer games in Victoria alone. Just two weeks ago, the Australia Council caused an uproar by announcing its decision to fund the "Escape from Woomera" computer game. In the context of this vibrant, and increasingly cutting-edge and experimental scene, what will be the impact of games like "Escape from Woomera" on future game design and direction?
We've recently seen a nation-wide backlash at a group of game designers awarded a $25 000 Australia Council grant to develop their first-person shooter game, "Escape from Woomera." The game will be modelled on the 'exact' conditions found within the Baxter, Woomera, Port Hedland and Villawood detention centres. Players will assume the character of a desperate refugee and will be able to escape in a variety of ways from scaling fences to landing a sympathetic lawyer. It's a controversial concept - that goes without saying. But irrespective of whether you're of the opinion that a game like "Escape from Woomera" is variously dodgy, satirical, contains artistic merit or merely pathetic, it serves to illustrate the possibilities that new games now possess in terms of depth, complexity and social relevance.
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