[game_edu] An Introduction to Game Studies: Games in Culture

[Frans Mäyrä]

Hi all (and apologies for cross-posting),

I noticed that several online bookstores already have this available, so
I thought it would be good to drop a line, even if the official
publication date is still ahead at the end of March. Sage Publications
has kindly put out an introductory textbook of game studies that I have
authored, and I hope it will be of use to some of you while designing
your courses, or in your own studies. The book is designed to address
the character of game studies as an emerging discipline in the academic
context, and it will walk students both through the history of digital
games as well as the conceptual developments that are useful while
addressing the increasing complexity within game cultures. The final
part of the book deals with various methodological traditions
(humanities, social sciences, design research, play as a method) that
are useful while engaging in further studies.

The companion websites are still pretty much under construction, but it
is already possible to access www.gamestudiesbook.net -- also to ask
questions and provide feedback.

Thanks, and all the best to the Spring term!

-- Frans

Description taken from the publisher's blurb text:

Frans Mäyrä: An Introduction to Game Studies: Games in Culture
SAGE Publications, 2008.

An Introduction to Game Studies is the first introductory textbook for
students of game studies. It provides a conceptual overview of the
cultural, social and economic significance of computer and video games
and traces the history of game culture and the emergence of game studies
as a field of research.

Key concepts and theories are illustrated with discussion of games taken
from different historical phases of game culture. Progressing from the
simple, yet engaging gameplay of Pong and text-based adventure games to
the complex virtual worlds of contemporary online games, the book will
guide students towards analytical appreciation and critical engagement
with gaming and game studies.

Students will learn to:

* Understand and analyse different aspects of phenomena we recognise as
'game' and 'play'
* Trace the key developments in digital game design through discussion
of action in games of the 1970s, fiction and adventure in games of the
1980s, three-dimensionality in games of the 1990s, and social aspects of
gameplay through the contemporary online games
* Understand games as dynamic systems of meaning-making
* Interpret the context of games as 'culture' and subculture
* Analyse the relationship between technology and interactivity and
between 'game' and 'reality'
* Situate games within the context of digital culture and the
information society

With further reading suggestions, images, exercises, online resources
and a whole chapter devoted to preparing students to do their own game
studies project, An Introduction to Game Studies is the complete toolkit
for all students pursuing the study of games.

The companion website (forthcoming at www.sagepub.co.uk/mayra) contains
slides and assignments that are suitable for self-study as well as for
classroom use. Students will also benefit from online resources at
www.gamestudiesbook.net, which will be regularly blogged and updated by
the author.

Frans Mäyrä is the Professor of Hypermedia, Digital Culture and Game
Studies in the University of Tampere, Finland.


-- 


**  Frans Mäyrä * Professor, PhD * Hypermedia Laboratory **
**  University of Tampere * Games Research Lab * Finland **
* www.uta.fi/hyper * http://gamelab.uta.fi * www.digra.org *
** frans.mayra at uta.fi *gsm +358503367650 *tel +358335517933 **
  *** www.unet.fi/fransblog **** www.uta.fi/~frans.mayra ***