James Malazita, "Enacting Platforms: Feminist Technoscience and the Unreal Engine" (MIT Press, 2024)
New Books in Critical Theory
Deep Dive
What is the concept of 'white photorealism' in the context of the Unreal Engine, and how does it reflect broader cultural biases?
White photorealism refers to the phenomenon where photorealistic graphics in games, particularly in the Unreal Engine, are often benchmarked against white skin tones, which are rendered more dynamically and appealingly than non-white skin tones. This reflects a broader cultural bias rooted in cinematic and photographic traditions, where white representation has historically been prioritized. The Unreal Engine's MetaHuman Creator Project, for example, struggles to render non-white skin with the same translucency and visual appeal, perpetuating a legacy of racial bias in visual media.
How does the Unreal Engine's relationship with the U.S. military illustrate the intersection of technology and politics?
The Unreal Engine's relationship with the U.S. military began with the development of 'America's Army,' a recruitment and propaganda tool. This collaboration not only provided the military with a technically advanced platform for creating first-person shooters but also allowed them to tap into the cultural cachet of commercial game development. For Epic Games, the partnership was financially lucrative and helped consolidate the Unreal Engine as a singular product. This entanglement highlights how game engines are not neutral tools but are deeply embedded in political and cultural power structures.
What are the limitations of the platform studies framework, and how does James Malazita's work challenge these limitations?
The platform studies framework often relies on a 'layers model,' which implies that each layer of game production (hardware, software, user interfaces, narrative) is dependent on the layer beneath it, potentially privileging technical aspects over social or narratological ones. Malazita critiques this model for its implicit reductionism and masculinist bias, arguing instead for a sociotechnical approach that sees technology and society as co-constitutive. His work challenges the idea that platforms like the Unreal Engine are fixed entities, emphasizing their multiplicity and the role of human practices in shaping them.
How does the Unreal Engine's use in fields beyond gaming, such as military simulation and civil engineering, reflect its broader cultural impact?
The Unreal Engine's use in military simulation, civil engineering, and other fields underscores its role as a versatile technological tool with significant cultural and political implications. Its adoption by the U.S. military for projects like 'America's Army' demonstrates how game engines can serve as both technical and cultural artifacts, shaping and being shaped by broader societal forces. This cross-industry use highlights the engine's capacity to influence not just entertainment but also areas like national defense and infrastructure, reflecting its embeddedness in global power dynamics.
What is the significance of Epic Games remaining privately owned, and how does this influence the Unreal Engine's development?
Epic Games' status as a privately owned company, under the control of founder Tim Sweeney, allows it to make creative and business decisions without the pressure of quarterly profits or shareholder demands. This independence has enabled Epic to focus on long-term innovation and maintain a unique position in the game engine market. Unlike publicly traded competitors like Unity, Epic can prioritize technical and creative goals over immediate financial returns, which has contributed to the Unreal Engine's evolution and its widespread adoption across industries.
- Critical game design combines critical theory and design.
- It addresses the academic job market challenges.
- It offers insights into game production and critique.
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