School
for
Poetic
Computation
How do we draw the boundaries of what is and isn't play in digital space? How do we play with others through distance and time? What does it mean to be "online?” The Browser is Already a Game Engine is a class that begins with the idea that web browsers possess all the interactive elements that define game engines, and then follows that thought to consider what kinds of games can be made directly in the browser, by hand—no frameworks and no libraries required. By using hyperlinks, iframes, synchronized clocks, HTML DOM elements, spreadsheets, CSV files, APIs, CSS, hotlinking (and yes, some Javascript), we will be exploring and building games that are also websites. With an even split between theory and making, we will also consider the handmade substructure of the playful internet—from fan forums to email chains, Wikipedia talk sections to home pages—and how the quiet connectivity of being online is never being completely alone.
Students should come to class with a computer (not a phone or tablet) that they have the admin password for. Some familiarity with basic coding principles and/or website construction will be helpful, but is not strictly required. More than this, students should arrive curious and willing to experiment and play.
Everest Pipkin is a game developer, writer, and artist from central Texas who lives and works on a sheep farm in southern New Mexico. Their work both in the studio and in the garden follows themes of ecology, tool making, and collective care during collapse. When not at the computer in the heat of the day, you can find them in the hills spending time with their neighbors— both human and non-human.
they/them
· website
· twitter
· instagram
Applications open until Applications closed on November 17, 2024.
You can expect to hear back from us about the status of your application on . Please email us at admissions@sfpc.study with any questions you have.
For 10 classes, it costs $1200 + processing fees, for a one-time payment. We also offer payment plans. Participants can schedule weekly or monthly payments of the same amount. First and last payments must be made before the start and end of class. *Processing fees apply for each payment.
SFPC processes all payments via Withfriends and Stripe. Please email admissions@sfpc.study if these payment options don't work for you.
For more information about what we look for in applicants, scholarships, and other frequently asked questions, please visit our applicant FAQ.
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