Borders is a political art game created not only to exhibit video games as an art form but to portray the dangers Mexican immigrants face in order to give the next generation a better future. Players attempt to cross the border while avoiding La Migra (border patrol) and staying hydrated. The place where every player dies is permanently recorded into the video game’s world, represented by a skeleton. This universal symbol communicates where players should be careful as well as simulates the large death toll claimed by Mexico’s deserts. (Gonzalez Alvarez)
Borders can be freely downloaded here.
The game was developed in a week long gamejam with two first time game developers, Gonzalo Alvarez and Jon DiGiacomo and veteran game, level and sound Genaro Vallejo Reyes.
Borders will be exhibited at Sol Art Gallery in the Art Department of Lamar University in Texas in an arcade-style cabinet where it will remain on display until On display through March 3. In the exhibition, Alvarez will show several pixel art drawings as well.
Photo courtesy of Lamar University
Below is a recent presentation by Alvarez titled "Pencils, Paints, and Pixels? How Indie Game Art Styles Affect Interactive Experience" held at the Seventeenth Annual Mcnair Scholars Research Symposium at Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas.
LINK: Gonzalez Alvarez
