Diploma project, ECAL 2021
in BACHELOR MEDIA & INTERACTION DESIGN
by Rayane Jemaa
Teacher(s): Alain Bellet, Gael Hugo, Christophe Guignard, Laura Perrenoud, Pauline Saglio
Mention Excellent
Prix EXECAL + Prix Pierre Keller
Is This the Middle East? investigates representation of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in a selection of video games. I am interested in the patterns, repetitive artefacts, locations and texts in games that claim to be set in the MENA region. These objects become archetypes. Are these photo-realistic environments also realistic in the scenes they depict or do they become another backdrop for war-related games?
Using photogrammetry to reconstruct these environments, I address the implications of seeing an abundance of often over-simplified images of the Middle East, especially in a world where video games are becoming not only a global phenomenon, but also a means to encounter other cultures.
Is This the Middle East?
Is This the Middle East?
Is This the Middle East?
Video