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Best Video Game Architecture Highlighted by UK Journal

by Thomas Houston on June 26, 2009 at 05:20 PM


While it may not be the most obvious connection, architecture and video games are inseparable. We know 'Goldeneye' levels, 'Halo' maps, and 'Super Mario' worlds as well, if not better, than the streets of our home town. From an architect's perspective, creating buildings and worlds in video games is far easier (not to mention cheaper) than doing it in the real world, yet landscapes from a popular game can become intimately known by millions. Just think of all the rabid 'Halo' fans who are fully aware of every hiding spot and gun turret scattered throughout the enormous levels.

The Architects' Journal, a U.K. publication, is highlighting ten of the finest examples of architecture in video games, ranging from worlds of fantasy ('World of Warcraft's' Azeroth) to recreations of reality ('Grand Theft Auto IV's' Liberty City). Also on the list is Marioland, known for its patterned obstacles and 'blobular' backgrounds of smiling hills. The Journal also highlights how games have influenced real-world architecture. For a pertinent (and timely) example, it's no stretch to imagine new shapes falling from the sky onto these Slovenian apartment buildings, designed by OFIS arhitekti and inspired by 'Tetris' -- which just celebrated its 25th birthday.

For more in this vein, don't miss BLDGBLOG's ruminations on the architecture of evil in video games and an interview with game designer Daniel Dociu on creating imaginary buildings and landscapes. [From: The Architect's Journal]

Tags: architecture, top, video games, VideoGames

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