This project investigates three creative practices (‘machinima’, in-game photography and gamics) performed by audience members, normally end-users, which make use of videogame assets to convey stories and produce works of art. ‘Press Start’ aims to raise public awareness of the possibilities of these practices for creative expression and educational purposes by engaging with the general public, artists, scholars and teaching professionals. The project will produce four publications, an art exhibition displaying works from United Kingdom and international artists, practice-based workshops, and a seminar.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Videogames are the dominant sector across the creative industries reaching 2.2-2.6bn users (Newzoo/Unity), and an estimated market growth to $180.1bn by 2021 (Newzoo). But videogames are also a powerful storytelling and artistic medium which has inspired people around the world. For many, videogames are not just something they consume, but the vessels to tell their stories and the canvases to express their art. This project attempts to bring these practices to the general public and teaching professionals, exploring 3 creative practices made with videogame assets, ‘machinima’ (animation), virtual photography, and comics, performed by end users, to raise awareness of the techniques and applications for creative and educational purposes. 

‘Press Start’ covers multiple activities such as research publication and dissemination, curation and exhibition of works and workshops in England. The research engages with existing literature and practitioners’ experiences to investigate connections, techniques and motivations. The project will produce 4 publications, an art exhibition displaying works from UK and international artists, 2 workshops, in which audiences can engage with these practices, and a conference/seminar presentation addressed to teaching professionals. These practices may be a key method to achieve creative ambitions for people without the resources and knowledge, as well as an invaluable teaching asset for distant and blended learning models in the creative arts.