The Magic Circle: Principles of Gaming & Simulation: Third and Revised Edition (Modeling and Simulation for Learning and Instruction) - Softcover

Klabbers, J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9087900066 ISBN 13: 9789087900069

Publisher: Sense Publishers, 2006

Synopsis

The purpose of this unique book is to outline the core of game science by presenting principles underlying the design and use of games and simulations. Game science covers three levels of discourse: the philosophy of science level, the science level, and the application or practical level. The framework presented will help to grasp the interplay between forms of knowledge and knowledge content, interplay that evolves through the action of the players. Few scientists have witnessed such a radical change in their area of research and practice as those who engaged in play and gaming since the 1950s. Since that time game scientists from a whole variety of disciplines started adopting gaming and simulation methods in their research. Rapid advances in information technology and computer science are producing a tool rich environment for the design and use of games, and for humanities studies of games as digital arts and interactive narratives. Game science is advancing through these waves of change, driven by the digital computer game industry, enhanced through computer and information science, as well as through advances in professional gaming such as in education, public and business management, policy development, health care, eco-systems management, and so on. When asking game scientists about the core of their science, one should expect to hear diverging answers. The common questions about the core of game and play are not new. They refer to: What is the meaning of game and play? What is real and what is virtual reality? How could we build simple and effective games from complex social systems? Are we able to bring forward a general theory of games? Are we able to help players (social actors) to find smart solutions and approaches to complex issues? How do games enhance learning and how do they improve our thinking capacity and action repertoire? Current answers to these questions are scattered and inadequate. This book offers a frame-of-reference that will enlighten the characteristics of particular games and simulations from a common perspective. The author pays less attention to instrumental reasoning than on theoretical and methodological questions. Answers will provide a suitable context for addressing design science and analytical science approaches to artifact design and assessment, and theory development and testing. Due to the high diversity of approaches that game science has to accommodate the author chooses an interdisciplinary and where appropriate a meta-disciplinary approach.

About this title

Review:

"Dr. Klabbers' work in gaming and simulation dates back to the 1960s. His third (and revised) edition of The Magic Circle: Principles of Gaming and Simulation is 20 pages shorter than his 2006 edition but the material is still the most comprehensive review of the subject by one of the field's experts--and comprehensive is probably an understatement. . . essential reading for business researchers interested in gaming and simulation to support learning and instruction. "--Graziadio Business Review, Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Management

Synopsis:

The purpose of this unique book is to present principles underlying the design and use of gaming and simulation. This frame-of-reference will enlighten the characteristics of particular games and simulations from a common perspective. The author pays less attention to instrumental reasoning than to methodological questions. The main reason for choosing this road is the lack of a robust methodology that underpins gaming and simulation methods. Gaming and simulation are more than methods and tools. They are firstly a way of thinking, and secondly, a method and a technique. In addition, the framework presented will help to grasp the interplay between forms of knowledge and knowledge content in connection with gaming. Interplay, which evolves through the action of the players. These notions are considered preconditions for raising epistemological questions in relation to the educational value of games and simulations. They will provide a proper context for addressing design science and analytical science approaches to artifact assessment and theory development and testing.

Due to the high diversity of approaches which the field has to accommodate the author chooses an interdisciplinary and where appropriate meta-disciplinary approach.

About this edition

• Publisher: Sense Publishers
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 9087900066
• ISBN 13: 9789087900069
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 400