Featherfall explores video game glitches as dream-like experiences
Featherfall, a video by Total Refusal, compiles online descriptions of dreams inspired by video games, accompanied by footage of in-game glitches where characters fall into voids due to collision detection errors. This breakdown of software illusion mirrors common nightmares. The piece references the 'Tetris effect,' studied by Robert Stickgold of Harvard Medical School, where game mechanics infiltrate dreams. Tetris, created by Alexey Pajitnov and popularized by Nintendo's Game Boy, exemplifies this phenomenon. In 1994, Jeffrey Goldsmith described the effect in Wired, recounting how Tetris dominated his thoughts and dreams during a trip to Tokyo. The article also mentions Doomdream by Ian MacLarty, which simulates the dream impact of playing Doom. Featherfall is available for free streaming until February 11, 2021, as part of VRAL, an online supplement of the Milan Machinima Festival.
Key facts
- Featherfall is a video by Total Refusal that compiles online descriptions of video game-inspired dreams.
- The video shows glitches where characters fall into voids due to missing collision detection.
- This glitch is compared to a common nightmare of falling.
- The Tetris effect was studied by Robert Stickgold of Harvard Medical School.
- Tetris was invented by Alexey Pajitnov and popularized by Nintendo's Game Boy.
- Jeffrey Goldsmith described the Tetris effect in Wired in 1994.
- Doomdream by Ian MacLarty simulates dreams after playing Doom.
- Featherfall is free to stream until February 11, 2021, as part of VRAL, a supplement of the Milan Machinima Festival.
Entities
Artists
- Total Refusal
- Alexey Pajitnov
- Ian MacLarty
- Robert Stickgold
- Jeffrey Goldsmith
- Matteo Lupetti
Institutions
- Harvard Medical School
- Nintendo
- Wired
- Milan Machinima Festival
- Artribune
- Game Boy
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan