Egenfeldt-Nielsen, Simon,

Understanding video games the essential introduction / [electronic resource] / Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen, Jonas Heide Smith, Susana Pajares Tosca. - Third edition. - 1 online resource : illustrations (black and white)

Previous edition: 2013.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

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.


Electronic reproduction.
Askews and Holts.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.

9781315725161 (e-book)


Video games.
Hobbies and Games.
Media studies
Cultural studies
Popular culture
Games development & programming
Computer games / online games: strategy guides


Electronic books.