Nature in Video Games: Environmental Aesthetics

Following an observation of the lack of theoretical writings on aesthetics in this medium regarding these issues, four main themes emerge. The first explores what I have termed "nature-as-decor," offering a brief reflection on the question of landscape, Descartes's "nature-as-artifact," Western naturalism according to Philippe Descola's categories, and finally transhumanism. The second area focuses on developing what I have termed "nature-material," addressing the history of human domination over nature, and leading to a critical analysis of geoengineering projects. The third strand aims to address the Gaia hypothesis and the concept of the Anthropocene, demonstrating that these two theories have revolutionized ways of thinking about nature and our relationship with it, yet that a genuine climate skepticism has taken hold. This spread of doubt serves the interests of capitalism, which is at the heart of the fourth strand, whose role is to highlight the various political and aesthetic conflicts at play in these questions that blend the environment and video games.

Pagina's: 104, Paperback, Our Knowledge Publishing