More Than Just a Game

Australia, 2022

Commissioned by ACMI

Artwork ACMI commissions First Nations

“Just like in the arcade games of the past, the government initiatives that exist are currently about us, without us. I want us to be seen, to have a say that enables us to take back control.”

Jarra Karalinar Steel conjures the nostalgic excitement of 1990s videogame arcades in More Than Just a Game. At its centre is The Adventures of Dolly, a playable game made with Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa illustrator Charlotte Allingham. Take the controls and take Dolly on a journey through an alternate reality or not-so-distant future of Melbourne’s CBD, featuring iconic trams and Swanston Street.

Growing up, videogame protagonists weren’t relatable to Jarra. This work remedies that, giving First Peoples a chance to see ourselves imagined in a videogame – made for us, by us. Through The Adventures of Dolly, custom possum and wallaby spirit flooring and the hand-carved arcade cabinet, Jarra reclaims a place that hasn’t reflected our experiences. She brings Indigenous stories into gaming, inspiring the next generation and giving us power to determine our own futures.

Game designed in collaboration with Charlotte Allingham

Game programmed by Peter Russell Adams

Arcade cabinet made with assistance from David Brophy

This work contains First peoples content

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Collection

In ACMI's collection

Previously on display

19 February 2023

ACMI: Gallery 4

Credits

artist

Jarra Karalinar Steel

Production places
Australia
Production dates
2022

Collection metadata

ACMI Identifier

Z000201

Curatorial section

How I See It: Blak Art and Film → Zone 8

Object Types

Artwork

Materials

Videogame, arcade machine handcrafted from reclaimed Australian blackwood, LED lettering, custom flooring

Collected

7008 times

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Cite this work on Wikipedia

If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/121855--more-than-just-a-game/ |title=More Than Just a Game |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=28 March 2024 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}