Videogames by Newman, James (James A.) instant download

Videogames by Newman, James (James A.) instant download

x, 198 pages ; 22 cm, James Newman's lucid, engaging introduction guides readers through the world of videogaming, providing a history of the videogame from its origins in the computer lab to its contemporary status as a global entertainment industry, Includes bibliographical references (pages 171-192) and index, 1. Why study videogames? -- Taking games seriously -- Why study videogames? -- Why have academics ignored computer games? -- 2. What is a videogame? : rules, puzzles and simulations : defining the object of study -- Super Mario, Tamagotchi, Furby and AIBO -- Classifying videogames -- Ludic context : coin-op vs home system -- What a videogame isn't -- Why do players play? -- Rules, winning and losing : videogames as games -- Paidea and ludus in videogames -- Types of game -- Videogames and interactivity -- So, what exactly is a videogame? -- 3. Manufacturing fun : platforms, development, publishing and creativity -- Videogames in transition -- Videogames and technology -- Scrolling, exploration and memory : producing and storing videogame spaces -- Complexity and diversity -- The modern development studio -- Division and roles -- Management and design -- Quality assurance -- Videogame platforms -- Finance, publishing and risk -- 4. Videogame players : who plays, for how long and what it's doing to them -- The continuing myth of the videogame audience -- Generation PSX, mainstream and hardcore : targeting the audience -- Boys only? : audience demographics -- Just five more minutes ... measuring audience behaviour -- Game panics : 'effects' research and the inscribed audience -- Assess the research, 5. Videogame structure : levels, breaks and intermissions -- Non-interactivity in the interactive videogame -- Level differentiation -- Between levels -- Save-die-restart : maintaining challenge in multi-session games -- The durability of inter-level breaks -- 6. Narrative and play, audiences and players : approaches to the study of videogames -- Ludology and…