JULY 30 - AUG. 5 - CULTURAL AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF GAMES

Metagame Book Club (Summer 2014). July 30, 2014. "Cultural and Social Dimensions of Games" by Sherry Jones.

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF GAMES

Welcome to Week 3 of Track 1: Game Studies reading club! Finally, we will be reading the main assigned book, "The Meaning of Video Games: Gaming and Textual Strategies" by Steven E. Jones! The seminal book will allow us to explore the social and cultural dimensions of digital games in the forms of paratexts and transmedia. Along with the book, I have also assigned a research-based article by Jane McGonigal that details the political and activist aspects of the collective gaming phenomenon. I think you will find both readings interesting and insightful of how the gaming phenomenon influences our social actions and behaviors.

There are only 2 main readings for this week (although the first reading will take up most of your time). I also recommend some optional readings below the main readings. For the sake of clarity, I have organized the texts in a linear fashion, under subheadings, to be read in successive order. Enjoy!

-- Sherry Jones (Track 1: Game Studies Facilitator)

MAIN READINGS