Videogames (Routledge Introductions to Media and Communications) - Softcover

Newman, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 041528192X ISBN 13: 9780415281928

Publisher: Routledge, 2004

Synopsis

Newman's lucid and engaging introduction guides the reader through the world of videogaming. It traces the history of the videogame, from its origins in the computer lab, to its contemporary status as a global entertainment industry, where characters such as Lara Croft and Sonic the Hedgehog are familiar even to those who've never been near a games console.

Topics covered include:

• What is a videogame?
• Why study videogames?
• a brief history of videogames, from Pac-Man to Pokémon
• the videogame industry
• Who plays videogames?
• Are videogames bad for you?
• the narrative structure of videogames
• the future of videogames

About this title

Review

'A wealth of well-written, scholarly but accessible perspectives on industry practice and commerical imperatives ... Newman can do this only because he is a serious games scholar.' - Media Educaiton Association

Synopsis

James Newman's lucid and engaging introduction guides the reader 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, with characters such as Lara Croft and Sonic the Hedgehog familiar even to those who've never been near a games console. Newman introduces: what is a videogame? why study videogames? a brief history of videogames, from Pac-Man to Pokemon the videogame industry who plays videogames? are videogames bad for you? the narrative structure of videogames the future of videogames. Newman traces the battle for dominance among key players such as Atari, Nintendo and Sega, explains how new videogames are developed and produced, and outlines research into the effects of videogaming on players, challenging the popular notion that too much Playstation is bad for your health. Contributors: Mia Conslavo, Chris Crawford, Patrick Crogan, Markku Eskelinen, Miroslaw Filiciak, Gonzalo Frasca, Walter Holland, Henry Jenkins, Kurt Squire, Torben Grodal, Alison McMahan, Be

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 041528192X
• ISBN 13: 9780415281928
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208