Why Game Studies?

Chris Lowthorpe is identi!ed as the originator of this work. This right is by Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England and Wales. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/uk/

Chris Lowthorpe Prototeach, Edinburgh 2010Hosted by University of Abertay & Skillset

The State of PlayDecade old

Multidisciplinary

Study of games, players, and contexts

Drives research - scholarly/collaborative

Increasingly established outside UK

The Game

The Player

Contextualization

Criticism and Innovation

Industry Practices/Market Awareness

Primary Targets

Integration of theory and practice to drive research, innovation, and future prosperity.

The Ultimate Goal?

5

Q. What are these?

A. Students! (according to many in industry)

6

Text

But we need students like this!

Equipped for this...

This...

Or this

Game Studies Encouraging Innovation

“The more ‘traditional’ a game, the bigger the player numbers are, but we are happy to lose some of those numbers in trying something original.”

Alice TaylorEducation Commissioning Editor C4

3 Games + 3 Developers = 1 Idea

“It gave me courage to experiment in light of how others make games, particularly where games cross boundaries into other media or incorporate aspects of reality. Studying the theory of games helps students try new things which may not be possible after graduation. University provides a safe and supportive place to try new ideas. Games studies is a crucial foundation for that innovation.”

Rosie Ball, BA Games Art & Design, NUCA

Empowering a new generation of innovative game designers

INTERACTIVITYGAME STUDIES 1, CHRIS LOWTHORPE, FALL 2009

DRAMATIC ELEMENTSGAME STUDIES 1, CHRIS LOWTHORPE, FALL 2009

“Learning the theory behind how games are constructed, and the different elements of their creation, gives future designers a much deeper well of knowledge to assist in their design processes.”

Tom Alcock, BA Games Art & Design, NUCA

Industry AwarenessThe Business of Games

Industry Practices

The Market and ‘Audience’

IP and Copyright

Trends - Transmedia Storytelling etc.

Expanding of games

“Game Studies helped me understand the games industry is a rapidly changing business, and it’s important to pay attention to new trends and technology such as Social Media and App. Stores. And to recognize the importance of indie game development studios. ”

Sophia George, BA Games Art & Design, NUCA

Games as Culture

Integrate Theory and Practice

Increase Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Understand Games as Culture

Establish Space for Research

Establish Common Language

Sector Aware Graduates

“Game Studies is one of my favorite aspects of the course. For me, it played a vital part in extending my knowledge of digital games. ”

Rachel Cunningham, BA Games Art & Design, NUCA

Turn it upside-down! Not why Games Studies, but why not?

Thanks!

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