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DIVERSITY OF ONTOLOGIES: VIDEO GAMES AND VIRTUAL WORLDS
Abstract
This article presents philosophical analysis of such a phenomenon as video games. Today, video games represent a major part of modern culture, which requires a specific research to be carried out. Without studying the ontology of video games it is impossible to give clear answers to such questions as: What are video games? How are they built? It is our goal to disclose and analyze the ontologies in the framework of which video games exist. We need to note that there is no such thing as universal ontology of video games for a video game is a complex phenomenon existing in numerous layers. We have revealed the most significant ontologies that can give an overall vision of video games structure and their very existence. The first ontology views video games as a cultural phenomenon, the second one as virtual worlds, and the third ontology as a medium. We have determined three ontological models: 1) video games exist on multiple levels none of which being fundamental for another; 2) video games exist as independently valuable virtual worlds which can be researched ontologically; 3) video games exist as a medium between a player, a developer, and a game platform; it is their interaction that makes video games existence possible.
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