Chasing real-time interaction in new media: towards a new theoretical approach and definition

ABSTRACT

‘Real-Time’ is one of the most frequent concepts used referring to digital media. Despite it is commonly related to immediate feedback, it is not clear when it happens and what its characteristics are, especially in current digital interfaces. Although real-time has been written about very extensively in the context of Human Computer Interaction and Computational Systems, there are few studies evaluating the key features of real-time interaction in other domains. This article attempts to address this situation by proposing a new approach to the concept of real-time interaction driving the analysis of this topic into paradigmatic cases studies in new media, video games and digital artworks. This new analysis reveals several specific facets that allow us to identify new factors in the understanding of this fuzzy concept. Finally, the article proposes a new definition of ‘real-time interaction’ based on the findings in the context of new media practices.

KEYWORDS:

• Real-time
• digital temporalities
• interaction
• new media
• digital interfaces

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr Carles Sora is Senior Lecturer of digital media at the Communication Department and researcher at DigiDoc Research Group of Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona. He earned a PhD in Social Communication and a MS in Cognitive Systems and Interactive Media.

Dr Sergi Jordà is Associate Professor and senior researcher at the Music Technology Group, DTIC Departament of Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and Digital Communication and BS in Fundamental Physics.

Dr Lluís Codina is Professor and senior researcher at the Communication Department of Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona. He obtained his PhD in Information Science and BA in Journalism. He is a founder of the DigiDoc Research Group at UPF.

ORCID

Carles Sora http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2761-2384

Sergi Jordà http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2964-4013

Lluís Codina http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7020-1631

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the research project: “Interactive content and creation in multimedia information communication: audiences, design, systems and styles”. CSO2015-64955-C4-2-R (MINECO/FEDER). Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spain.