Understanding video games : the essential introduction
"From Pong to PlayStation 3 and beyond, Understanding Video Games is the first general introduction to the exciting new field of video game studies. This textbook traces the history of video games, introduces the major theories used to analyze games such as ludology and narratology, reviews the economics of the game industry, examines the aesthetics of game design, surveys the broad range of game genres, explores player culture, and addresses the major debates surrounding the medium, from educational benefits to the effects of violence." "Extensively illustrated, Understanding Video Games is an indispensable and comprehensive resource for those interested in the ways video games are reshaping entertainment and society."--Jacket
Video games
vii, 293 pages : illustrations ; 27 cm
9780415977203, 9780415977210, 9780203930748, 0415977207, 0415977215, 0203930746
173243765
Introduction
1. Studying video games
2. The game industry
3. What is a game?
4. History
5. Video game aesthetics
6. Video game culture
7. Player culture
8. Narrative
9. Serious games, when entertainment is not enough
10. Video games and risks
Discussion questions
Video game timeline
Glossary