Torrent Raiders

by Aaron Meyers and Corey Jackson
http://www.torrentraiders.com/

Torrent Raiders is a dynamic network visualization realized through the idioms and aesthetics of arcade-style video games. Driven in real-time by the activity of bit torrent swarms, Torrent Raiders takes place on the ad-hoc networks created by bit torrent users. Torrent Raiders playfully addresses issues of domestic surveillance and intellectual property by putting players in the role of a mercenary copyright enforcer, encouraging them to capture evidence against peers on torrents in order to collect bounties. Players assist in the distributed surveillance of these torrent swarms, sending information to a central server where it will be used to drive further visualizations of this information. As a dynamic visualization exploring privacy, piracy and surveillance, Torrent Raiders challenges internet users, content pirates and government spooks to examine their allegiances and mistrust their computer connections.

Aaron Meyers and Corey Jackson Bios
Aaron Meyers is a designer and programmer interested in information visualization, game design, artificial life and generative image-making. Since 2002, he has been creating interactive projects with an emphasis on dynamic information visualization and rapid game prototyping in commercial and research contexts including Pop & Company, Maxis and the USC Game Innovation Lab. Some of his recent projects include the Digg Swarm visualization, which he created as an intern last summer at Stamen Design, and MobZombies, a portable video game where players become a human joystick.

Corey Jackson is 3D artist and illustrator whose work reflects a passionate interest in the kinetic and autopoetic patterns of nature and processes of growth and form. His professional experience includes working as the Art Lead at Ludicorp for Game Never Ending and as a Layout Artist on Nickelodeon cartoons such as Hey Arnold! and Invader Zim. Currently Corey is designing recombinant architectures for Faketown, an online virtual world.