Professor Angela Washko‘s project “The Game: The Game,” a video game presenting the practices of several prominent pick-up artists, was published in the Net Art Anthology, part of Rhizome at the New Museum. The project is now available to download and play on a Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems.
“The Game: The Game” is a feminist video game exploring consent and the practices of the male seduction community. In this unconventional dating simulator, infamous pick-up artists attempt to seduce the player using techniques taken from their instructional materials. Pitting players up against six prominent seduction coaches who are vying for your attention at a bar, the game provides the opportunity for players to explore the complexity of seduction social dynamics as well as the experience of being a femme-presenting individual navigating this complicated and often dangerous terrain. The musical score was composed by Xiu Xiu.