Introduction to Game Analysis

About this book

Game analysis allows us to understand games better providing insight into the player-game relationship the construction of the game and its sociocultural relevance. As the field of game studies grows videogame writing is evolving from the mere evaluation of gameplay graphics sound and replayablity to more reflective writing that manages to convey the complexity of a game and the way it is played in a cultural context. Introduction to Game Analysis serves as an accessible guide to analyzing games using strategies borrowed from textual analysis. Clara Fernndez-Varas concise primer provides instruction on the basic building blocks of game analysisexamination of context content and reception and formal qualitiesas well as the vocabulary necessary for talking about videogames distinguishing characteristics. Examples are drawn from a range of games both digital and non-digitalfrom Bioshock and World of Warcraft to Monopolyand the book provides a variety of exercises and sample analyses as well as a comprehensive ludography and glossary.