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Video games are art. I think I can say that authoritatively since great organizations like the
Video Game Art Gallery go to lengths to approach these works in a scholarly way. This Saturday evening, the VGA Gallery and
Quimby’s Bookstore will team up to celebrate the release of the second volume of the
Video Game Art Reader—a scholarly publication that examines video games as art, history, and takes a look at their role in society.
This second issue of the
VGA Reader looks at “Survival Strategy.” This encompasses survival games as a genre, but issue two also looks at games as tools for surviving the real world. Authors will discuss topics such as: the portrayal of war in video games, the need for inclusivity, and the way that exploring digital worlds can give new perspective on the real world.
You can grab a digital copy of the first and second issue of the
VGA Reader right now on the VGA Gallery website. For five dollars each, they’re a steal. The VGA Gallery also has a bunch of
beautiful prints from various video games, if you want to adorn your walls with gorgeous video game art. If you're interested in contributing to the VGA Reader, they currently have a call for papers for their third issue. That's their scholarly way of saying "We want submissions." You can check out
the call for papers here, as well as the
submission guidelines.
The
VGA Reader issue 2 celebration will begin at 7pm—it’s free to attend, and light snacks and refreshments will be served. Hard copies of the second issue of the
VGA Reader will be on sale, as well as the
Chicago New Media 1973-1992 exhibition catalogue—also put together by the VGA Gallery.
Quimby’s Bookstore is located at 1854 W. North Ave.