Cari amici di TFP,
un po` di mesi fa ho inviato un abstract al prossimo International Astronautical Congress (
www.iac2004.ca) sul tema Space and Videogames, centrato essenzialmente sulla possibilita` di utilizzare il medium videogioco nella promozione delle attivita` spaziali al grande pubblico. Ho poi chiesto al gran maestro Ivan F. di collaborare alla stesura del lavoro, che e` al momento in progress. La parte iniziale del paper dovrebbe nelle nostre intenzioni contenere una review dei principali VG aventi contenuto spaziale inerente alle tecnologie e\o all`esplorazione piu` che ad alieni et similia. Il presente topic ha lo scopo di raccogliere idee al riguardo, citazioni di VG, anche semisconosciuti, in cui il concetto di spazio ha un ruolo significativo!
Vi ringrazio anticipatamente per ogni contributo che vorrete fornirci, e va da se` che ognuno di essi sara` debitamente citato negli acknowlegments (sic) del lavoro!
Per chiunque fosse poi interessato, attacco in coda l`abstract del lavoro!
IAC-04-IAA.6.16.2.04
Space Technology in Modern Fiction: Space and Videogames
L. Scatteia1
1CIRA – Italian Aerospace Research Centre, Capua (CE) Italy
contact: l.scatteia@cira.it
I. Fulco2
2La Stampa, Rome, Italy
3CIRA – Italian Aerospace Research Centre, Capua (CE) Italy
ABSTRACT
The development, advancement and execution of space programs are, to a certain extent, related to modern society’s perception of space. If related to the sole practical outcomes, the enormous efforts and investments required for technological developments, as well as, for the actual carrying out of current missions, may not be completely accepted in society (in a cost/benefit-ratio way). Space has to be seen as the extreme frontier and space missions as the ultimate challenge for humankind. While at the beginning of space exploration this was the established social perception (the human lunar landing may be seen as the first realisation of this idea), nowadays the commercial exploitation of space launches and the dramatic accident recently experienced by the USA flagship space vehicle have contributed to deprive space of its idealistic, noble aura.
This paper will propose the use of the videogame medium to inspire the next generation in space related pursuits, in order to overcome the declining interest of young graduates in space science and engineering. After the annihilating crisis at the beginning of the 80’s, the videogame industry has experienced a steady growth becoming a multi-billion dollar business. The demographical target of the videogame industry has widened, expanding from teenagers to adults in their 30s. Nowadays, the spread of this medium in society may be considered equal or even greater than that of cinema and home video, with the additional advantage of the interactivity which is unique in its kind in the entertainment industry. As a matter of fact, the interactive experience could lead to an unsurpassed sense of involvement, not reproducible with a mere visual or reading experience.
Space is certainly a recurring theme in the videogame arena. From the alien threat in Space Invaders to the human space colonisation in Sid Meier’s Alpha Centhauri, space has always provided countless inspirations to creative and designers.
All the aforementioned factors lead to believe that the videogame may be a well suited mean to spread interest in space-related themes in an even more effective way than the Hollywood industry or any other entertaining medium.
This paper reviews the evolution of the idea of space in videogames with particular regard to actual space themes more than science fiction ones. The paper will also identify and discuss the issues concerning space promotion through videogames. An analysis of new game concepts will also be provided.
