Pigxell

*** The game has STOPPED RUNNING after June 2021 because of it relied on a web server that was shut down by the creator. ***

About:

Pigxell is a combination of performance and online game, where players are invited to purchase digital furniture and decorate their own virtual spaces. Here, creativity knows no bounds as players curate their virtual abodes with a plethora of digital furniture and decor options. However, in a departure from conventional lifestyle games, Pigxell challenges players to re-examine the concept of ownership and privacy within their virtual sanctuaries. Under a system designed for greedy data collection, building contents in the digital space comes at the cost of giving away personal imagery and data.

A NPC in the game, a pig, trades furniture with the player only if they trade images of a part of their body; eyes, nose, ears, mouth, hands, feet. According to what images are traded, players can buy eye furniture, nose furniture, etc. A performer behind the screen perform the pig, managing the shop, checking all images from players and approving/declining their furniture purchases. 

This game highlights the process of personalization in digital platforms that are designed for centralized data pooling and mass data collection.

 Featured in online show Share Screen
 Featured in online show D02.0

"   Pigxell makes and trades furniture. Every staff at Pigxell dedicates to make your space a place. With a selection of furniture that incorporates our unique aesthetic, you can personalize your room with ease. The creation of space is central to us. It is shown in a story shared in Pigxell. Michael Townsend, who lives in Rhode Island, found a secret space behind two walls in the construction site of Providence Place Mall. The two walls almost touched but left a gap for entrance. Since then, Townsend started to decorate the space, making it his second home, but from outside people can only see the two solid facades. We hide behind the veneer facade of images and uniform aesthetics. We own and re- plenish the place in the gap between personal control and image flow. At Pigxell, everyone embraces the idea of play. We dedicate to host your play, while you may also find us as players and actors beyond your gaze.

   With that, we invite you to the game. "