Texas A&M Develops Art History Video Game
Faculty and students at Texas A&M University have created a video game designed to supplement a college-level art history course.
Students and faculty from the university's Learning Interactive Visualizations Experience (LIVE) Lab conceived the game and initiated its development under the
leadership of André Thomas, a lecturer in the Department of
Visualization. After the game was tested at Texas A&M, Triseum,
a game development company also led by Thomas, prepared the game for
release to other universities. Triseum employs current students and
graduates from the Department of Visualization.
The game, called ARTé: Mecenas,
is designed to teach "the interconnectedness of local and international
economies in Renaissance Italy," and "how those economies influenced
art and art patronage," according to information on Triseum's site.
Students take on the role of a member of the Medici family, which was
influential in the development of Renaissance art. The objective of the
game is to build and maintain a financial empire to level up the
player's character "to the status of 'Mecenas,' an influential patron
of the arts, and experience the political, social and economic factors
that shaped the era."
ARTé: Mecenas is the first in a planned
suite of games by Triseum. The company is currently developing another
game called Variant, which is designed to transform abstract calculus
concepts into concrete gaming experiences for college-level students.
Further information about ARTé: Mecenas and Variant can be found on Triseum's site.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.