Octagon Arts Center

The invention of the computer is perhaps the critical achievement in the technological evolution of the human race. Through computing (and the internet) we have brought the world – and the peoples of the world – to our very fingertips. And the power and flexibility of computing has adapted itself to every application—especially entertainment: Just as the television rapidly became “must-have” entertainment in every home, computers have become our most engaging and captivating playmates.

Almost from the very beginning, computer games have played a crucial role in bringing astounding computing power to the common people. The yearning for better entertainment has fuelled a race for not only more powerful CPUs every year, but more sophisticated graphics and sound cards—both of which are necessary for the best and most immersive experience in what are increasingly complex and realistic game worlds. Even so, rarely can contemporary hardware realize the latest game’s audio and visual potential to the fullest.

(That said, there is an interesting movement among very small ‘casual games’ such as those produced by SandLot Games, to combine an excellent game with excellent game art, but without requiring the staggering computing power necessary for 3D animation, thousands of details, and attention to physics. An excellent example is Tradewinds Caravans, which uses a library of hundreds of beautifully illustrated male and female characters).