Full Description
Digital games are one of the most significant media interfaces of contemporary life.
Games today interweave with the social, economic, material, and political complexities of living in a digital age. But who makes games, who plays them, and what, how and where do we play?
This book explores the ways in which games and game cultures can be understood. It investigates the sites, genres, platforms, interfaces and contexts for games and gameplay, offering a critical overview of the breadth of contemporary game studies.
It is an essential companion for students looking to understand games and games cultures in our increasingly playful and 'gamified' digital society.
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction: Understanding Games and Game Cultures
Part I: Games in Context
Chapter 2: Methods in Games Studies
Chapter 3: Game Industries and Interfaces
Part II: Communities of Practice
Chapter 4: Game Communities and Productive Fandom
Chapter 5: Esports and Fantasy Sports
Chapter 6: Livestreaming and Let's Play
Part III: Artful Interventions
Chapter 7: Between Art Games and Game Art
Chapter 8: Serious Games and Games for Change
Chapter 9: Pervasive Games and Urban Play
Part IV: Mobilities
Chapter 10: The Rise and Rise of Mobile Games
Chapter 11: Augmented Reality Games and Playful Locative Media
Chapter 12: Conclusion: Themes and Futures
