Introduction to an Interdisciplinary and Multimodal Approach for Analyzing Artistic Styles in Video Games

Abstract

This study proposes a taxonomy of artistic styles in video games awarded at The Game Awards (2014-2023) through an interdisciplinary analytical framework integrating aesthetic, narrative,andgameplayperspectives.Amultimodalmethodological design was developed to analyze 18 award-winning titles, examining visual dimensions (character design, lighting), cultural influences (literature, cinema), and symbolic elements. The findings identified sixteen distinct artistic styles, including pixel art (evoking retro nostalgia), hyperrealism (achieving photorealistic detail), and surrealism(employing abstract symbolism), often combined with mythological or cinematic references. This analysis prompts discussion on whether video games derive their artistic identity from their capacity to blend diverse influences into a unique interactive experience, thereby challenging traditional categorizations of art. The study concludes that, despite recurring stylistic elements, each analyzed work maintains a distinct identity, positioning video games as a form of ephemeral, unrepeatable art that lacks the well-defined authorial imprint characteristic of other artistic disciplines.