Urban spaces in videogames: Paris as a scenario of tension

Abstract

Arts and media have used cities as scenarios where almost everything is possible. Therefore, videogames soon adapted urban representations to its own language. Their worlds contribute to create concrete atmospheres and feelings, like restlessness or tension. In this research we study the relevance of urban depictions in games for generating ambiences, as the tools used to induce emotions related with suspense. We propose a qualitative study through a technical and historic artistic analysis of the depiction of Paris in three videogames.