Flexible creativity: Artistic Labor in Videogames

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Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication ›› 2018, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5) : 82-97.

Flexible creativity: Artistic Labor in Videogames

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Abstract

Based on the historical development of ?exibility in information society, this article tries to relate video game production with ?exible production and clarify the relationships between creative industry and ?exible specialization. By these theoretical constructs, researchers make in-depth interview with 5 interviews, mainly with previous artistic working experiences. They are now working at different positions in video game companies. By asking questions related to artistic labor market, in-house artistic labor organization and individual identifcation with artistic job, researchers gather evidences to describe artistic labor process and analyze its interaction with ?exible specialization. The results reveal that creativity and ?exibility are related because China’s videogame industry has evolved deeply into the value chain of global video game industry. While there is always tension between creativity and commercialization, creativity will fnd some room for autonomy if it can make ?exible negotiations and co-operations. For individual artists, they will need more network sociality, and will take multi-skillful, learn-by-doing as their work ethics. At the same time, the will identify themselves with creative labor as to be competitive, to be mobile and cooperative.

Key words

Flexibility / Flexible Specialization / Labor Process / Artistic Labor

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. Flexible creativity: Artistic Labor in Videogames. Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication. 2018, 40(5): 82-97

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