Ação política e jogos de multidão: estratégias de game e ativismo

Abstract

The research examines specific aspects of video games in the context of a contemporary world defined by Vilém Flusser as "codified world". In such a world, the increasingly intense relationship between humans and the "apparatus" - which transmit messages - seems to program reality in an accelerated and disorganized way. However, amid the massive production of cultural industry programs, independent content arise, created generated and shared by individuals of the multitude. "Games of multitude" is a term propounded by Dyer- Witheford and Peuter to describe games that somehow, beyond its status of entertainment - or spectacle - provide the players experiences that address the most varied and complex political and social issues. Through Flusser s philosophy a historic resumption between the human beings relationships and their cultural communication processes is drawn up, pursuing the contextualization of the video games as an expressive media. Nonetheless, with Paolo Virno s thoughts regarding the overlapping of concepts, work, political action and intellect, it is possible to understand the individual from the multitude as someone distressed by their submission to work and lack of expressive possibilities. The multitude, however, although submitted to the sovereignty of capital, attempts to break through. Electronic games, with their features and possibilities, become interesting tools for the expression of the multitude s critical energy. Through the analysis of the works of Dyer- Witheford and Peuter, Steven Johnson, Gonzalo Frasca and Paolo Pedercini, we seek videogames expressive specificities. A detailed analysis of three games of multitude - "How to Build a Better Mouse Trap" "Papers, Please" and "Phone Story" is pursued. Such analysis allows illustrating concepts, and propounding possible categories for forms, practices and potential of game of multitude