Interactive Installation, Game, Story Telling
Pixel Patrol
"Pixel Patrol" is an immersive interactive installation that delves into the intricate realm of content moderation. It invites participants to explore the ethical challenges and power dynamics embedded within the digital age.
Date
2023
Instructor
Juliette Powell
Exhibition & Archived
NYU Tisch Thesis Show 2023, New York
Design & Developer Tools
Touch Designer / Game Flow & Interaction
MidJourney, Photoshop, Illustrator / IImage Processing
Runway-Gen1 / Video Generation
After Effect / Video Post-Processing
ChatGPT / Prompt Hinting
Laser Cutting, Polarizing Film / Physical Props Making
Abstract
"Pixel Patrol" is an immersive and thought-provoking interactive simulation installation that explores the intricate challenges of content moderation in a dystopian world. By examining the power dynamics between individual users and powerful tech companies, the installation provides a unique lens into the consequences of losing one's digital presence and the ethical dilemmas that arise in the digital age.
Visitors step into the shoes of content moderators—individuals who navigate the delicate balance between individual expression and the enforcement of platform guidelines. Drawing inspiration from games like "Papers, Please" and "Do Not Feed the Monkeys," "Pixel Patrol" combines pixel art, real-time news, and evolving guidelines to create a captivating experience that encourages introspection and dialogue about our digital identities.
As participants engage with the three-monitor installation, they are encouraged to consider the impact of their decisions on the virtual world, as well as the implications these choices have on the society we live in today. They are invited to reflect on the power dynamics at play and how they shape our interactions, memories, and personal identities in an increasingly interconnected world.
"Pixel Patrol" invites visitors to question the relationship between individuals, technology, and power, and to contemplate the value of our digital presence in the ever-evolving landscape of the internet.
Technical Details & Interaction
"Pixel Patrol" utilizes an interactive installation with three monitors, each displaying different content. The project incorporates pixel art, AI-generated content and storylines, and dynamic gameplay elements, engaging players in a thought-provoking experience that examines the relationship between individuals, technology, and power in the digital age.
The content employs ChatGPT and Midjourney to generate text prompts and visual references, and Runway Gen-1 to create video content, resulting in a majority of visual and video content for reference. All content is seamlessly integrated through post-production in After Effects. The interactive interfaces of the installation are powered by TouchDesigner, which enables visitors to engage with the three-monitor setup in a dynamic and intuitive manner. Moreover, the monitors have undergone modifications such as the removal of the polarizer and the addition of polarizing films to glasses and polarized cards, revealing hidden content and adding an extra layer of interactivity to the overall experience.
In "Pixel Patrol," the interactions involve players reviewing the content on Monitor 1 and making decisions based on the evolving Pixel Patrol Review Guidelines displayed on Monitor 2. The players' choices lead to various outcomes and consequences, which are shown as real-time news headlines and updates on Monitor 3. These interactions challenge players to navigate the complex world of content moderation while confronting ethical dilemmas and power dynamics between users and tech giants.
