“Linking Literature & Games: Exploring Hypertext, Digital Fiction, & the Language of Gaming” is an exhibit curated by Mariah Gwin, an Undergraduate Researcher in the Electronic Literature Lab. Below is her curatorial statement and the list of items included in the exhibit. The URL to the archival site is http://dtc-wsuv.org/mgwin17/ensslin-exhibit.
“Linking Literature and Games: Exploring Hypertext, Digital Fiction, and the Language of Gaming” presents literary games, hypertext, and digital fiction focusing on the scholarship of Astrid Ensslin, a professor from the University of Alberta specializing in Electronic Literature and Games. This exhibit features literary works, games, and hardware that date back to the mid-1980s and into the late 2000s. With a background in Digital Humanities and Game Studies, Ensslin’s research explores digital-born works of literature, fiction, and games. Each item was inspired by and selected based on works that were discussed in her book, Literary Gaming.
Left Cabinet
Top Shelf:
- iMac G4
- The Princess Murderer, CD-ROM, 2000, by Deena Larsen and Geniwate
- Concatenation, CD-ROM, 2003, by Geniwate
- Patchwork Girl, 3.5-inch floppy disk published by Eastgate Systems, Inc., 1995, by Shelley Jackson
2ndShelf:
- Small Screen Fictions, 2017, by Astrid Ensslin
- Literary Gaming, 2014, by Astrid Ensslin
- Language in the Media, 2007, by Astrid Ensslin
3rdShelf:
- R.O.B. the Robot, Nintendo Entertainment Systems (NES), 1985
- NES Advantage, 1987
- Nintendo Entertainment System, 1985
4thShelf:
- World of Warcraft, 2004-present
- Prince of Persia, 2008
Right Cabinet
Top Shelf:
- Analyzing Digital Fiction, 2013, by Astrid Ensslin
- Victory Garden, 1991, by Stuart Moulthrop
- Canonizing Hypertext, 2007, by Astrid Ensslin
2ndShelf:
- Arteroids, 2003, by Jim Andrews
- Asteroids, 179, 1981, 1986, from Atari
- iCade, 2011, from Ion Audio
3rdShelf:
- The Language of Gaming, 2011, by Astrid Ensslin
- Galatea, 2000, by Emily Short
- Figurski at Findhorn on Acid, 2000, by Richard Holeton
4thShelf:
- Atari 2600, 1977
- The Path, 2009, by Tale of Tales
- Grand Theft Auto, 1997-2013, Rockstar Games