Thumb twiddlers in game heaven

Dublin's Digital Hub is hosting an exhibition of the latest video games,writes Karlin Lillington

Computer game aficionados of all types - developers and designers, artists, teachers interested in using games for education, or the common garden variety games player - will find plenty to do for their twitchy thumbs at the latest public exhibition at the Digital Hub.

Exhibit4, the latest instalment in the Hub's ongoing art and digital media series, features game projects from 13 internationally renowned video game companies, artists and programmers.

The Digital Hub is the Government project to create a centre for digital media and technology in the area around the Guinness brewery in the Liberties, Dublin.

The Exhibit series "is an attempt to showcase digital technology and is an attempt to demystify that world as well," said Mr Philip Flynn, chief executive, Digital Hub. He said he believed the gaming theme of the current exhibit would be of interest to a wide range of people.

Ms Nicky Gogan, curator of the show, said the exhibits - all of which allow visitors to have a hands-on interaction with them - include a peek at some of the latest gaming titles for PCs and Sony's PlayStation gaming console, as well as a look at how artists and musicians are using gaming interfaces for their work.

Included are a GameBoy console that has been modified to allow musicians and DJs to compose music, a PlayStation that can run the operating system and become a full-fledged computer, and an example of how games can be used for political and social purposes. In the latter exhibit, called (In)Security, one PC features the shoot 'em up war game distributed as a recruitment tool by the US army.

Built on the Unreal game engine, the game is now believed to be the most-played multi-user game across the internet and has resulted in a 35 per cent increase in enquiries to army recruitment centres, said artist Mr John Buckley.

He contrasts the game with others designed by Hizbollah and a Syrian publisher, in which the heroes are Arab guerrillas rather than American military figures.

The exhibit will also feature games designed by Irish developers for the Nokia N-Gage phone/gaming platform. A series of talks and a one-day conference will round out the exhibit, which continues until January 9th at the Hub's offices, 10-13 Thomas Street.

Exhibit4 is sponsored by Diageo. Further details are at www.thedigitalhub.com.