Archive for ludology

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

Leave a comment »

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

Leave a comment »

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

Leave a comment »