Susana Pajares Tosca

Jonas Heide Smith

Simon Egenfeldt-Nielson

The Essential Introduction

Understanding Video Games

Lisbeth Klastrup

In this pioneering new book, authors Klastrup and Tosca explore the many ways that transmedial worlds are present in people's everyday life, proposing a new theory of (trans)media use for the digital age. People are not only reading, watching and playing in fictional worlds like never before, but also using them to reflect about their lives through Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other channels, commenting on their marriages or their life at the office, analyzing current news, or reminiscing on the role these worlds played in their childhood. The book's unique methodological approach combines an aesthetic and literary perspective that looks closely at the different fictional universes, with an empirical user perspective that builds upon 15 years of sustained work on transmediality. The result is a theory that covers both the personal, experiential dimension of fictional worlds and the social dimension of sharing with each other. A fascinating and contemporary examination of media worlds and their communities, this book offers students and scholars of fandom, media, cultural and reception studies a new theoretical and methodological framework, through which to understand the phenomenon of transmedial worlds, and people's engagement with them.

Networked Reception, Social Media, and Fictional Worlds

Transmedial Worlds in Everyday Life

"In this pioneering new book, authors Klastrup and Tosca explore the many ways that transmedial worlds are present in people's everyday life, proposing a new theory of (trans)media use for the digital age. People are not only reading, watching and playing in fictional worlds like never before, but also using them to reflect about their lives through Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other channels, commenting on their marriages or their life at the office, analyzing current news, or reminiscing on the role these worlds played in their childhood. The book's unique methodological approach combines an aesthetic and literary perspective that looks closely at the different fictional universes, with an empirical user perspective that builds upon fifteen years of sustained work on transmediality. The result is a theory that covers both the personal, experiential dimension of fictional worlds and the social dimension of sharing with each other. A fascinating and contemporary examination of media worlds and their communities, this book offers students and scholars of fandom, media, cultural and reception studies a new theoretical and methodological framework, through which to understand the phenomenon of transmedial worlds, and people's engagement with them"--

Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen

Understanding Video Games is a crucial guide for newcomers to video game studies and experienced game scholars alike. This revised and updated third edition of the pioneering text provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of game studies, and highlights changes in the gaming industry, advances in video game scholarship, and recent trends in game design and development—including mobile, casual, educational, and indie gaming. In the third edition of this textbook, students will: Learn the major theories and schools of thought used to study games, including ludology and narratology; Understand the commercial and organizational aspects of the game industry; Trace the history of games, from the board games of ancient Egypt to the rise of mobile gaming; Explore the aesthetics of game design, including rules, graphics, audio, and time; Analyze the narrative strategies and genre approaches used in video games; Consider the debate surrounding the effects of violent video games and the impact of "serious games." Featuring discussion questions, recommended games, a glossary of key terms, and an interactive online video game history timeline, Understanding Video Games provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in examining the ways video games are reshaping entertainment and society.

From Pong to virtual reality, Understanding Video Games, 4th Edition, takes video game studies into the next decade of the twenty-first century, highlighting changes in the area, including mobile, social, and casual gaming. In this new edition of the pioneering text students learn to assess the major theories used to analyze games, such as ludology and narratology, and gain familiarity with the commercial and organizational aspects of the game industry. Drawing from historical and contemporary examples, the student-friendly text also explores the aesthetics of games, evaluates the cultural position of video games, and considers the potential effects of both violent and "serious" games. Extensively illustrated, and featuring discussion questions, a glossary of key terms, and a detailed video game history timeline, this new edition is an indispensable resource for students, scholars and teachers interested in examining the ways video games continue to reshape entertainment and society.

This expanded and revised second edition of Understanding Video Games provides a comprehensive introduction to the growing field of game studies. Understanding Video Games, 2nd Edition is an essential read for newcomers to video game studies and experienced game scholars alike. This follow-up to the pioneering first edition takes video game studies into the next decade of the twenty-first century, highlighting changes in the game business, advances in video game scholarship, and recent trends in game design and development—including mobile, social, and casual gaming. In Understanding Video Games, 2nd Edition students will: Assess the major theories used to analyze games, such as ludology and narratology Gain familiarity with the commercial and organizational aspects of the game industry Trace the history of video games from Pong to Playstation 3 and beyond Explore the aesthetics of game design Evaluate the cultural position of video games Consider the potential effects of both violent and "serious" games. Extensively illustrated, and featuring discussion questions, a glossary of key terms, and a detailed video game history timeline (including an interactive online version), Understanding Video Games, 2nd Edition is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in examining the ways video games are reshaping entertainment and society.

Susana Pajares Tosca

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