Game Art: Tim Devine & "Onur Sonmez' "The Mexican Standoff" (2010)

"The Mexican Standoff removes the link between the persons thoughts and actions; people are directly thinking about what they are doing – creating a hyperreality. Two people use their minds via EEG headsets to fire their guns in a Mexican Standoff realised in an ultra-violent first person shooter (FPS). The characters take a long time to die so the game can last for quite some time. To trigger the EEG interface the person needs to think about pulling a trigger in their right hand. When this is detected the avatar will begin to shoot the other. In popular culture, a Mexican Standoff is usually portrayed as two or more opponents with guns at the ready, creating a very tense situation. A Mexican standoff is a slang term defined as a stalemate or impasse, a confrontation that neither side can win."(Tim Levine & Onur Sonmez)