Playing in the Paracosm: Imagination, Hyperreality and the Video Game Experience (video essay)
·
ABSTRACT
Playing in the Paracosm: Imagination, Hyperreality and the Video Game Experience Raymond Sookram, Goldsmiths, University of London
In a time of so-called “post-truth,” constructed experiences like social media and Disneyland can convince individuals that a “hyperreality” of imagined symbols, landscapes and characters are more idealistic and convincing than lived realities. Jean Baudrillard’s writings on simulated realities today have great significance, especially with video games as a highly popular form of interactive hyperreality worldwide. Links between hyperreality and the imagination are well-established from research into paracosms, or complex imaginary worlds. Whilst the benefits of imaginary play on children’s psychological development and popular literary works have been expressed, in paracosm studies, sound is unusually minimised compared to other senses. I propose a “Paracosmic Multimedia” whereby immersive paracosms extend into individuals’ simultaneous receptions of sound, character and environment between video games and other media, shaping their thoughts and actions with the virtual and real. Here, I analyse the blurring between real and constructed projections caused by the depiction of simulated worlds based on sonic representations through voice, soundtrack and noise. By combining research on game music, media, psychology and self-analytical gameplay, I present the initial stages of a new theoretical model focused on the sonic associations of video game simulations and ways in which they extend and develop between texts.
Playing in the Paracosm: Imagination, Hyperreality and the Video Game Experience (video essay)
Bibliography
Baudrillard, Jean. Simulacra and Simulation. Translated by Sheila Faria Glaser. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 1994.
Cohen, David, and Stephen A. MacKeith. The Development of Imagination: The Private Worlds of Childhood. London: Routledge, 1990.
Root-Bernstein, Michele. Inventing Imaginary Worlds: From Childhood Play to Adult Creativity Across the Arts and Sciences. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2014.
Smith, Barnabas Gregory. “Making the Virtual Actual: A Research Model to Understand Music of Contemporary Open-World Video Games.” PhD diss., The University of Adelaide, 2019.
Media Cited
AFGuidesHD. “Call of Duty 1 - Full Walkthrough/ Movie - Call of Duty Playthrough Let's Play.” YouTube video, 3:30:30. July 8, 2017. Accessed September 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbhgaffQT1Y.
BBC News. “Coronavirus: 'I built a memorial to my grandfather on Animal Crossing' - BBC News.” YouTube video, 2:04. May 30, 2020. Accessed September 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72vJXugSeQA.
Bisson, Louis-Auguste. “Frédéric Chopin by Bisson.” Daguerreotype photograph taken in 1849.
bourdivin78. “Jean Baudrillard – Mots de passe (documentaire 1999). YouTube video, 1:29:21. April 1, 2017. Accessed December 15, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGne4wMpU6g.
Cyberpunk 2047. Video game. Warsaw: CD Projekt Red, 2020.
Disney Travel Professionals. “Walt Disney World Resort – Magic is Here.” YouTube video, 0:30. October 15, 2020. Accessed December 16, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49a10Bl297o.
LongplayArchive. “Longplay of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” YouTube video, 9:21:32. March 29, 2018. Accessed September 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KO2a83jfas.
Mercury Studios. “Miles Davis – Call It Anything (Miles Electric).” YouTube video, 35:19. September 17, 2014. Accessed 12 December 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMYVvjoXf4o.
Miles Ahead. Directed by Don Cheadle. Film. California: Sony Pictures Classics, 2015.
MNDR and Killer Mike. “Lock and Loaded.” The Alchemist and Oh No Present: Welcome to Los Santos. Red UK. 2015.
NBC News. “Trump Holds Rally In Georgia Ahead Of Senate Runoff Election | NBC News.” YouTube video, 1:48:30. December 6, 2020. Accessed December 15, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4w--Vhjteg.
Nintendo. “Splatoon 2 - Off the Hook Live Concert at Tokaigi 2019 - Nintendo Switch.” YouTube video, 36:21. April 25, 2019. Accessed September 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZW_Uvhvvk.
Polymath Association - Associação Polímata. “Robert And Michele Root-Bernstein's interview on Polymathy.” YouTube video, 59:38. August 26, 2019. Accessed September 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5SE_sKY7KM.
Raymond Sookram. In a Peaceful Room. Forthcoming 2021. Bandcamp.
Red Dead Redemption 2. Video game. New York: Rockstar Games, 2018.
Scott, Travis. “Travis Scott and Fortnite Present: Astronomical (Full Event Video).” YouTube Video, 8:57. April 26, 2020. Accessed September 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYeFAlVC8qU.
Sea Hero Quest. Video game. London: Glitchers, 2016.
Sky News. “‘There is no evidence of a pandemic’ says anti-vaxxer.” YouTube video, 3:03. December 7, 2020. Accessed December 15, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRWHMfoNSJs.
SourceSpy91. “Death Stranding - FULL GAME WALKTHROUGH - No Commentary.” YouTube video, 01:02:54:14. December 18, 2019. Accessed September 13, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_p9wLMNOeM.
SourceSpy91. “The Last Of Us: Part 2 - FULL GAME WALKTHROUGH - Survivor Difficulty - No Commentary.” YouTube video, 1:00:57:34. July 17, 2020. Accessed September 19, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCV4ivXi190&t=4129s.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Created by Scott Dunlop. Television series. Season 1, episode 9. “The Dinner Party From Hell.” California: Evolution Media, 2010.
The Simpsons Game. Video game. California: Electronic Arts, 2007.
The Sun. “Anti-lockdown protesters shout at shoppers to remove their masks as demonstrations hit the UK.” YouTube video, 4:12. December 12, 2020. Accessed December 15, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJuSW8flg-g.
Raymond is a composer, pianist, drummer, writer, associate lecturer and current student in the PhD pathway in Music at Goldsmiths, University of London. His present research concerns the simultaneous receptions of video game music and concept of character when experienced by gamers and viewers alike across several media platforms, a phenomenon known as transmedia. Raymond’s academic focus has broadened within and beyond video game music to encompass major popular musical works and political expression in music. Recent research includes examinations on transmedial sound and parody of the Batman franchise within Level 2 of The Simpsons Game and the argument for politicised speech as a form of popular music. Alongside his research, Raymond has released albums which focus on ambient sound textures and the acceptance of ‘mistakes’ and wrong notes during improvisations.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0)
