8-BEE-TS: Final Major Project – Exploring Retro Video Games and Their Cultural Impact
For my Final Major Project at university, I chose to focus on the renaissance of retro video games and their influence on modern culture. My thesis, 8-BEE-TS, examines how classic video games like Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and Super Mario have transcended their original era and continue to shape today's digital and social landscapes. The project explores the lasting cultural impact of these iconic games and how their designs and mechanics still resonate in the gaming world today.
The Concept:
The heart of my project was to analyze the resurgence of retro gaming, focusing on how these early video games have influenced not only the gaming industry but also wider aspects of culture, such as design, art, fashion, and media. My research explored how the simplicity of these games—coupled with their innovative gameplay mechanics—has led to a renewed appreciation for the genre in both indie game development and popular media.
The Game:
To complement my research, I developed a simple platformer game using Unity, which became the core creative element of my project. The game, titled 8-BEE-TS, features a bumblebee as the main character. The gameplay itself is deliberately basic, following the mechanics of classic 2D platformers—think Super Mario or Donkey Kong—with the bumblebee navigating platforms, avoiding obstacles, and collecting items.
The simple, nostalgic gameplay reflects the core design principles of early video games, where gameplay was centered on straightforward mechanics and immediate fun. The bumblebee's journey, though minimal in scope, serves as a visual metaphor for how retro games are still able to engage and entertain, despite their simplicity and limited technological capabilities.
The Video Game Trailer:
Alongside the platformer, I created a dynamic trailer for 8-BEE-TS that emphasizes the nostalgic, retro aesthetic of the game. In the trailer, the bumblebee character embarks on a time-traveling journey through various iconic retro video game worlds, including Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and Super Mario. The trailer blends gameplay from these classic games with the bumblebee’s adventure, featuring pixelated graphics and a catchy chiptune soundtrack. Through the trailer, I aimed to capture the essence of retro game advertisements while showcasing how the bumblebee navigates these game worlds, paying tribute to their lasting influence on the gaming culture.
The Outcome:
8-BEE-TS was a blend of academic research and creative production, combining the study of retro games with the practical application of game design. Through the creation of a simple yet engaging platformer and the accompanying trailer, I was able to demonstrate how the spirit of these early games still holds relevance in modern game development. The project was a celebration of the enduring appeal of retro video games and how their influence continues to be felt across multiple media, even as gaming technology has advanced.
Ultimately, 8-BEE-TS was a creative exploration of nostalgia and innovation, illustrating how even the simplest of games can have a lasting cultural impact. It also highlighted how retro gaming remains a driving force in the evolution of digital entertainment and the gaming industry's ongoing love affair with the past.
