How is writing about the game done, and what should it be aimed at? In order to talk about “criticism,” we looked at criticism and critique on a fundamental basis and discussed how criticism of games should be done. We explored how articles dealing with real games are being published by looking at a wide range of actual cases from the perspective of media criticism and analyzed the position of these articles.

Games are a different medium than the typical subject of criticism in literature and art. Therefore, a different perception and approach are required. What kind of writing can be included in the writing about the games? First, there are “reviews.” It aims to provide detailed information about the game even to those who don’t play the game, and it is the easiest type of writing to access. Similarly, “previews” literally serve the purpose of playing the game first and providing information about that game in advance. If a review is an article that makes you think about the play experience once again, a preview can be said to be an article more centered on delivering information. What is “critique” in the field of games? And how have we been writing about games?

In fact, it is pointless to discuss what a “real” critique of the game is. Writing a critique is relatively more difficult than the reviews and previews discussed earlier. Many games that have become the object of criticism deal with social issues. This is because the object itself that the game simulates and reproduces is either a human being or a real society. Unlike reality, the process of telling a story with steps implemented in virtual conditions can be the subject and flow of critical writing on the games. In addition, through critical writing, it is possible to analyze and evaluate the internal structure of a game and to examine the boundary of an object, discourses that exist outside the game, and social aspects arising from the game.

Attempts to write critical columns about games first appeared in early computer-specialized magazines. Since then, these attempts have been sustained through the advent of PC communication and game clubs, personal websites, blogs, and communities. Furthermore, today, writing about games has continued through books published on game research results, professional webzines, current affairs media, and media critiques. Looking at the cases, we confirmed that games continue to be covered in popular media.

As mentioned earlier, there is no single definition of game criticism. In other words, writing about a game doesn’t necessarily have to lead to criticism. What we need is a critical perspective. It should not be done in the confined area of “criticism,” but “critical” writing of the game is what we need. In particular, it is very important to look at the relationship between society and the game. However, the methodology of criticism is not properly established yet. The question of “how to write” can be centered on the methodology of criticism. Also, this flow of criticism should lead to feedback from the developers who make the games. The most important thing is to think about how critical writing about games was conceived and written to fill the gap in game culture.