Fifty Key Video Games
Fifty Key Video Games

Author: Bernard Perron

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2022-07-26

Total Pages: 349

ISBN-13: 1000596230

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This volume examines fifty of the most important video games that have contributed significantly to the history, development, or culture of the medium, providing an overview of video games from their beginning to the present day. This volume covers a variety of historical periods and platforms, genres, commercial impact, artistic choices, contexts of play, typical and atypical representations, uses of games for specific purposes, uses of materials or techniques, specific subcultures, repurposing, transgressive aesthetics, interfaces, moral or ethical impact, and more. Key video games featured include Animal Crossing, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, The Legend of Zelda, Minecraft, PONG, Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and World of Warcraft. Each game is closely analyzed in order to properly contextualize it, to emphasize its prominent features, to show how it creates a unique experience of gameplay, and to outline the ways it might speak about society and culture. The book also acts as a highly accessible showcase to a range of disciplinary perspectives that are found and practiced in the field of game studies. With each entry supplemented by references and suggestions for further reading, Fifty Key Video Games is an indispensable reference for anyone interested in video games.

Thinking about Video Games
Thinking about Video Games

Author: David S. Heineman

Publisher: Indiana University Press

Published: 2015-08-03

Total Pages: 269

ISBN-13: 0253017181

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The growth in popularity and complexity of video games has spurred new interest in how games are developed and in the research and technology behind them. David Heineman brings together some of the most iconic, influential, and interesting voices from across the gaming industry and asks them to weigh in on the past, present, and future of video games. Among them are legendary game designers Nolan Bushnell (Pong) and Eugene Jarvis (Defender), who talk about their history of innovations from the earliest days of the video game industry through to the present; contemporary trailblazers Kellee Santiago (Journey) and Casey Hudson (Mass Effect), who discuss contemporary relationships between those who create games and those who play them; and scholars Ian Bogost (How to Do Things With Videogames) and Edward Castronova (Exodus to the Virtual World), who discuss how to research and write about games in ways that engage a range of audiences. These experts and others offer fascinating perspectives on video games, game studies, gaming culture, and the game industry more broadly.

Video Games and Creativity
Video Games and Creativity

Author:

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2015-08-03

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 0128017058

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Video games have become an increasingly ubiquitous part of society due to the proliferation and use of mobile devices. Video Games and Creativity explores research on the relationship between video games and creativity with regard to play, learning, and game design. It answers such questions as: - Can video games be used to develop or enhance creativity? - Is there a place for video games in the classroom? - What types of creativity are needed to develop video games? While video games can be sources of entertainment, the role of video games in the classroom has emerged as an important component of improving the education system. The research and development of game-based learning has revealed the power of using games to teach and promote learning. In parallel, the role and importance of creativity in everyday life has been identified as a requisite skill for success. - Summarizes research relating to creativity and video games - Incorporates creativity research on both game design and game play - Discusses physical design, game mechanics, coding, and more - Investigates how video games may encourage creative problem solving - Highlights applications of video games for educational purposes

The Psychology of Video Games
The Psychology of Video Games

Author: Celia Hodent

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-10-07

Total Pages: 105

ISBN-13: 1000194760

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What impact can video games have on us as players? How does psychology influence video game creation? Why do some games become cultural phenomena? The Psychology of Video Games introduces the curious reader to the relationship between psychology and video games from the perspective of both game makers and players. Assuming no specialist knowledge, this concise, approachable guide is a starter book for anyone intrigued by what makes video games engaging and what is their psychological impact on gamers. It digests the research exploring the benefits gaming can have on players in relation to education and healthcare, considers the concerns over potential negative impacts such as pathological gaming, and concludes with some ethics considerations. With gaming being one of the most popular forms of entertainment today, The Psychology of Video Games shows the importance of understanding the human brain and its mental processes to foster ethical and inclusive video games.

The Epic Evolution of Video Games
The Epic Evolution of Video Games

Author: Arie Kaplan

Publisher: Lerner Publications ™

Published: 2017-01-01

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13: 1512452122

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Have you ever wondered what video games would be like if they never changed? The first games were little more than bouncing dots on a plain screen. Modern games include astonishing action, realistic environments, and epic story lines. Take a look at how video games have evolved over the years, and learn about the kinds of games we might be playing in the future.

Game On!
Game On!

Author: Dustin Hansen

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: 2016-11-22

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 1250080959

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"A middle-grade nonfiction book about the history and impact on pop culture of video games"--

Directing Video Games
Directing Video Games

Author: Brian Allgeier

Publisher: Illusion Road

Published: 2017-05-06

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 0998637521

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What does a video game director actually do? What guiding principles do they follow while leading a team of game creators? Longtime Ratchet & Clank director, Brian Allgeier, boils down his decades of experience into 101 fully illustrated tips. Written for both aspiring and experienced creative leaders, this book covers the expansive and multi-faceted role of the director, from developing the initial vision to key methods on tackling design, story development, and production challenges. 5 essential qualities of a creative director: 1. Hold the Vision 2. Provide Structure 3. Keep a Creative Toolbox 4. Lead Effectively 5. Know Production For those who are curious about what it takes to be a video game director or want learn more about the art of creative collaboration, this book covers the basic principles for leading and inspiring a team to make great games. "Directing Video Games is a literal loot drop of knowledge, decades of experience concisely and expertly crafted into 101 densely packed tips. Even a page — with no exaggeration — can be transformative to a project’s success." —Brenda Romero, Award winning game designer "This book is one of a kind, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to lead the creation of a video game. It's full of great visuals and excellent advice, and belongs on every game director's bookshelf." —Richard Lemarchand, Associate Professor in the Interactive Media Division, USC "Born of expansive experience, this is a comprehensive book that both beginners and seasoned developers should keep at their side." —Michael John, Program Director of Games and Playable Media, UCSC "Brian has managed an incredible thing—to present a broadly complex, multi-faceted role in bite-sized, easy to digest nuggets of sage advice." —Marcus Smith, Creative Director of Resistance 3 and Sunset Overdrive

Understanding Video Games
Understanding Video Games

Author: Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-12-07

Total Pages: 405

ISBN-13: 1317533127

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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.