Archive for August, 2009
WoW fanatics like me are always eager to heap praise upon the beautifully rendered characters and backgrounds in our beloved game franchise. Until recently, however, few people would confuse the game’s stunning visuals with fine art. A museum in California recently unveiled an exhibit that blurs that distinction. The Laguna Art Museum in Orange County is running an exhibition titled “WoW: Emergent Media Phenomenon.”
In the past, the game has been heralded for its addictive gameplay and the niche culture that has come to anticipate each World of Warcraft expansion release. The museum has chosen to focus on the elements that make the game visually unique. Fourteen artists have their work highlighted in the exhibition, and each has put his or her own spin on what the game means to our culture at large.
Growing up, I would sometimes try to hide my gaming addiction from the outside world. Sure, I always had a core group of friends who would come over every weekend and help me beat a bunch of Final Fantasy games. Not to mention those all-night LAN parties fueled by gallons of soda and fistfuls of candy. My passion for games was no secret to these select few buddies.
In general, though, I didn’t feel comfortable letting others know about my obsession. Then everything changed. I discovered WoW and became so addicted that I no longer cared what anyone thought. If they didn’t get it, it was their problem, not mine. I bought an entire wardrobe’s worth of World of Warcraft t-shirts and made new friends who shared my passion for the online phenomenon.