In this work, Butler uses "in-game photography" within the video game Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) to document the lives of homeless non-player characters (NPCs) in the fictional city of Los Santos. Project Overview and Intent
: The project explores how players can find agency outside of predefined mission structures by using the game’s tools for social commentary. Butler Down And Out
Butler's project is a modern digital homage to George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London . Rather than following the game's intended violent or criminal narratives, Butler spent months treating the simulation as a physical reality, exploring the "ambient reality" that often goes unnoticed by players. In this work, Butler uses "in-game photography" within
: The work exposes the embedded social violence and limitations of the digital world, reflecting real-world socio-economic structures. Rather than following the game's intended violent or