Dekker, et al.
Lights! Camera! Action?
Film studies in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, an analysis
Rolf Dekker, Remco Doensen, Mathijs Kooijman, Mick de Meyer and Ruud Oud
After a long time, academic research of computer and videogames has finally become reality. However, every new field of research has to face certain difficulties and in this case one of the problems that emerge is the question of method. Although there are many methods of analysis available, these are mostly borrowed from other disciplines like film studies, psychology or sociology. The question remains whether these methods are apt for the analysis of games. Through our research, we hope to make a contribution to this discussion.
In film studies Film Art: an Introduction (Bordwell and Thompson) is regarded a respectable method of analysis. But to what extent can it give a thorough analysis of a game? To answer this question, we have applied Film Art analysis to the recent game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Furthermore, we have done this on two levels: the level of the observer and that of the player. We believe that these two levels will differ greatly from each other. This research will hopefully make clear whether film analysis can be of use in game research.
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