volume 1, issue 1
July 2001
Game Studies is a crossdisciplinary journal dedicated to games research, web-published several times a year at www.gamestudies.org. Our primary focus is aesthetic, cultural and communicative aspects of computer games.
Our mission - To explore the rich cultural genre of games; to give scholars a peer-reviewed forum for their ideas and theories; to provide an academic channel for the ongoing discussions on games and gaming.
Computer Game Studies, Year One
by Espen Aarseth
Welcome to the first issue of the first academic, peer-reviewed journal
dedicated to computer game studies. This is a noteworthy occasion, and
perhaps the most remarkable aspect is that such a journal has not been
started before. As we know, there have been computer games for almost
as long as there have been computers: SpaceWar, arguably the first
modern game, turns forty this year, and commercially the genre
has existed for three decades. So why not something like this before?
[more]
Beyond Myth and Metaphor: The Case of Narrative in Digital Media |
Games telling stories? |
by Marie-Laure RyanIf we compare the field of digital textuality to other areas of
study in the humanities, its most striking feature is the precedence
of theory over the object of study. Most of us read novels and see
movies before we consult literary criticism and cinema studies ...
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by Jesper JuulAs questions go, this is not a bad one: Do games tell stories?
Answering this should tell us both how to study games and
who should study them. The affirmative answer suggests that
games are easily studied from within existing paradigms. The negative
implies that we must start afresh...
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Is It Possible to Build Dramatically Compelling Interactive Digital Entertainment |
The Gaming Situation |
by Selmer BringsjordLots of computer games are compelling. E.g., I find even current
computerized poker games quite compelling, and I find The Sims
downright fascinating; doubtless you have your own favorites. But
our planet isn't graced by even one dramatically compelling computer
game ...
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by Markku EskelinenThe first point of departure for this article is a kind of paradox
or contradiction. Outside academic theory people are usually excellent
at making distinctions between narrative, drama and games. If I
throw a ball at you I don't expect you to drop it and wait until
it starts telling stories ...
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The repeatedly lost art of studying games |
Grandmothers are cooler than trolls |
Jesper Juul reviews The Study of GamesThis is one of the rare theoretical books with "games" in the
title. Its uniqueness is further enhanced by the fact that games
is used, not just as a vague metaphor for idle speculation, but
in a literal sense ...
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Gonzalo Frasca reviews The SimsI must confess something that may end my career as a videogame
reviewer for good. I cannot stand Tolkien. While I never read any
of his books, I hated him as soon as I installed The Hobbit ...
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