Games, Frames, Screens and Seams

Spatial and Temporal Editing in Video Games

Abstract

In this article I criticize the view that video games resist editing and are 'seamless' forms. As opposed to this myth of seamlessness, I state that a great deal of editing is involved in video games. Apart from temporal editing, which is well known in cinema, video games make heavy use of spatial editing, which is also used in graphic novels. I will systematically discuss six types of editing based on their spatial or temporal configuration and the simultaneity and non-simultaneity of the depicted frames. In addition to this typology, I will continuous debate how the editing technique works for the viewer to create interaction, suspense, narrativity and spectacle.