Archive for the Online papers Category

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Ludologists Love Stories, Too: Notes from a Debate that Never Took Place

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

Gonzalo Frasca here comments on the so-called ‘ludology vs. narratology debate’ that was helpful in clarifying the core agenda of ludology (as critical game studies), while noticing how the most extreme oppositional positions in this debate appeared to be based on misunderstandings.

Frasca, Gonzalo (2003) ‘Ludologists Love Stories, Too: Notes from a Debate that Never Took Place’. In: Marinka Copier and Joost Raessens (eds), Level Up: Digital Games Research Conference Proceedings. Utrecht: DiGRA and University of Utrecht. Online: http://www.digra.org/dl/db/05163.01125

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Simulation 101. Simulation versus Representation

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

Another important early article by Gonzalo Frasca, this paper explores the concepts of simulation and representation, crucial for any theory of digital games.

Frasca, Gonzalo (2001) ‘Simulation 101. Simulation versus Representation’. Online: http://www.ludology.org/articles/sim1/simulation101.html

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Ludology Meets Narratology

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

This is the article that is one of the key documents for establishment of ‘ludology’ as a ‘discipline that studies game and play activities’. The early ludology was particularly defined by its counter-reaction against narratology (or rather any ‘narrativizing’ of games), later game studies have adopted much of ludology’s key agenda.

Frasca, Gonzalo (1999) ‘Ludology Meets Narratology. Similitude and Differences between (Video)games and Narrative’. Originally published in Finnish in Parnasso 1999: 3, 365–71. Online: http://www.ludology.org/articles/ludology.htm

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The Gaming Situation

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

In this interesting article Markku Eskelinen argues that while the dominant user function in literature, theatre and film is interpretative, in games it is the configurative one.

Eskelinen, Markku (2001) ‘The Gaming Situation’. Game Studies, 1(1). Online: http://www.gamestudies.org/0101/eskelinen/

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Fundamental Components of the Gameplay Experience: Analysing Immersion

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

Immersion is one of the key concepts that are used to characterise digital gameplay experiences, yet it is rarely clearly defined. Our article is based on a series of studies that provided us a basis to differentiate three dimensions or aspects in gameplay immersion – immersion based on challenges, as well as on sensory experiences and imagination (SCI model).

Ermi, Laura and Frans Mäyrä (2005) ‘Fundamental Components of the Gameplay Experience: Analysing Immersion’. In: Suzanne de Castell and Jennifer Jenson (eds), Proceedings of Chancing Views – Worlds in Play. Digital Games Research Association’s Second International Conference. Vancouver: DiGRA and Simon Fraser University. Online: http://www.digra.org/dl/db/06276.41516.pdf

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Closing Remarks of Richard Duke, ISAGA 2003

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

This talk (closing remarks in a conference, recorded in an association newsletter) captures some interesting pieces of historical information regarding gaming and simulation field, and how the early academic associations in games research were formed. Richard D. Duke has served as the president of ISAGA and is one of the pioneers of the field.

Duke, Richard (2003) ‘Closing Remarks of Richard Duke, ISAGA 2003, Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan’. ISAGA Newsletter 1. Online: http://moodle.isaga.info/file.php/1/downloads/newsletters/newsletter1.pdf

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Alone together? Exploring the Social Dynamics of Massively Multiplayer Online Games

Posted in Online papers with tags , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

The emphatically social nature of MMORPGs and virtual worlds is often taken for granted; therefore it is refreshing to see a study that is backed up by innovative methodology and empirical data to give an alternative view on the topic.

Ducheneaut, Nicolas, Nicholas Yee, Eric Nickell and Robert J. Moore (2006) ‘“Alone together?” Exploring the Social Dynamics of Massively Multiplayer Online Games’. In: Proceedings of CHI 2006 Conference. New York: ACM, pp. 407–16. Author’s version online here.

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A Rape in the Cyberspace

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on June 1, 2008 by frans

As games have expanded into virtual worlds with hundreds, thousands and now even millions of people interacting within their realms, the social and psychological issues of online interaction have gained increased importance. Julian Dibbell’s article tells an illustrative story of an event taking place in an early text-based MUD, but it provides much food for thought .

Dibbell, Julian (1993/1998) ‘A Rape in the Cyberspace (Or TINYSOCIETY, and How
to Make One)’. In: Julian Dibbell, My Tiny Life: Crime and Passion in a Virtual
World. New York: Henry Holt, pp. 11–30. Online: http://www.juliandibbell.com/texts/
bungle.html

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Toward a Critical Vocabulary for Games

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on April 4, 2008 by frans

There is a continuing need to clarify the concepts used within game studies, and defining ‘game’ is one of continuing interest. This article by game designer and critic Greg Costikyan is interesting in the way it discusses the process of constructing the definition it puts forward. The original version was published in 1994 in Interactive Fantasy #2, the revised version in CGDC conference proceedings in 2002.

Costikyan, Greg (2002) ‘I Have No Words & I Must Design: Toward a Critical Vocabulary for Games’. In: Frans Mäyrä (ed), CGDC Conference Proceedings. Studies in Information Sciences. Tampere: Tampere University Press, pp. 9–33. Online: http://www.digra.org/dl/db/05164.51146.pdf

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Development of Dance Dance Revolution Community

Posted in Online papers with tags , , , on April 4, 2008 by frans

There are relatively few published academic sources that discuss newer forms of games cultures; this student work is an informative account of the dance gaming scene:

Chan, Alexander (2004) ‘CPR for the Arcade Culture: A Case History on the Development of Dance Dance Revolution Community’. Unpublished coursework, History of Computer Game Design, Stanford University. Online: http://pdf.textfiles.com/academics/ddr-case-history-chan.pdf

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