lankoski

The Art of Videogames (Grant Tavinor)

Tavinor, Grant (2009). The Art of Videogames. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Tavinor looks at games using tool-set from the analytical philosophy of art,using especially the philosophy of fiction. As the book is drawing on analytical philosophy, the discussion of the definition of videogame is inevitable. Fortunately, Tavinor does not just start a definition project, but discuss theContinue reading “The Art of Videogames (Grant Tavinor)”

The Digra Conference 2009 Proceedings

The Digra Conference 2009 Proceedings, Breaking New Ground: Innovation in Play, Practice and Theory, is now available at digra digital library.

Call for Papers: Games Research Methods seminar

Methods seminar at University of Tampere, 8-9 April, 2010: What are the approaches and methods that are useful while studying games, play and related phenomena? The dynamic nature of interactive game form, the changing strategies adopted during actual play, as well as the multiple research questions that surround the design, implementation, distribution as well asContinue reading “Call for Papers: Games Research Methods seminar”

Currently Reading

Now, after handling in the dissertation manuscript, I have really started to read and seek new things. Now on my table is following books: Flint Dille & John Zuur Platten, The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design (Lone Eagle Publishing Company, 2007). The book, so far, is a very practical and though-provoking lookContinue reading “Currently Reading”

Horror Video Games

Inger Ekman and I wrote a chapter, Hair-Raising Entertainment: Emotions, Sound, and Structure in Silent Hill 2 and Fatal Frame, for the book Horror Video Games: Essays on the Fusion of Fear and Play edited by Bernard Perron (published by McFarland Publishing). The book should be out early October.

Game Screenshots and Fair Use (or Dealing)

Many publishers ask researchers to secure copyright owners permissions for screenshots for academic works. However, typical academic use falls under fair use. Jesper Juul writes that following argument (that permissions is not needed) can and should be used when publishers ask the permissions: Precedent: Video game reviews, commentary, as well as a large body ofContinue reading “Game Screenshots and Fair Use (or Dealing)”

Lies and Seductions Tips / Walkthrough

Spoiler alert…

Play in Hybrid Reality

Frans Mäyrä and I wrote a chapter, Play in Hybrid Reality: Alternative Approaches to Game Design, to the book Digital Cityscapes: Merging Digital and Urban Playspaces (Peter Lang Publishing) edited by Souza e Silva & Sutko. The book seems to be already available at amazon.com.

Tommi on Lies and Seductions

Tommi Horttana writes about Lies and Seductions and his experiences on developing the game his portfolio blog.

Kultima and Compagno & Coppock

Annakaisa Kultima: Ajatuskokeista (On thought experiments), MA thesis, available at http://gameslices.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/theoretical-philosophy-and-thought-experiments/. the thesis is looking at thought experiment method Compagno & Coppock (eds.) Computer Games between Texts and Practices. Available at http://www.ec-aiss.it/monografici/5_computer_games.php. a compilation studies games using semiotics