The Videogames Handbook

By David Surman

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• ISBN: 978-0-415-38353-0
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 1st November 2010 (Available for Pre-order)
• Pages: 320

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About the Book

Featuring contributions from leading figures in the videogames industry including the international games scholar Henry Jenkins; Simon and Andrew Oliver, directors of Blitz Games; and writer and broadcaster Aleks Krotoski; this book surveys both the theory and practice of this fast-growing, yet relatively new disciplinary area.

Mapping the commercial process of videogame production from pre-production to games journalism, David Surman demystifies the language of technical production processes by offering the reader a review of key production roles, along with the skills required to fulfil them. Focusing on the distribution and reception of videogames as a cultural form, as well as offering broader perspectives on issues such as the place of games in education and domestic technology, Surman examines the critical perspectives that have emerged in the academic community.

Table of Contents

Foreword. Introduction Section 1: Videogame Development 1. Games Design 2. The Role of the Videogame Developer 3. Concept Development 4. Designing Play 5. Experiences 6. Iterative Design and ‘White Box’ Testing 7. Simon and Andrew Oliver ‘Designing Videogames, a 20-Year Retrospective’ 8. Programming 9. Game Engines 10. Artificial Intelligence 11. Artists 12. Character Design 13. Level Design 14. Computer Modelling and Animation 15. Publishing Producing and Marketing 16. The Role of the Publisher 17. The Commissioning Process 18. Supervising the Production 19. Quality Assurance and Play Testing 20. Games Marketing and Strategies 21. Ernest Adams ‘Developing Videogames, a 10-year Prediction’ 22. Players/Creators 23. The Modification of Existing Videogames – Modding 23. Machinima and the Cinematic Potential of Videogames 24. Fan Criticism and Games Development 25. Customisation and Play Section 2: Videogame Cultures 1. Videogames Journalism 2. The Editor 3. The Art Editor 4. The Games Editor 5. Staff Writers 6. Games Journalism and New Media 7. Blogging and Online Journalism 8. Margaret Robertson ‘The Videogame Journalist’ 9. Videogame Culture 10. Players as Consumers 11. The Place of Gameplay in Everyday Life 12. Videogames and Education 13. Technology and Cultural Form 14. Videogame Censorship 15. (New) Media Effects 16. Player Cultures and Fan Authors 17. Aleks Krotoski ‘Gender and Games’ Section 3: Videogame Studies 1. Game Studies Fundamentals 2. What is a Game? What is a Videogame? 3. The Limits of Representation 4. Understanding Play 5. Videogame Aesthetics 6. Simulation and the Virtual 7. Interactive Media 8. James Newman ‘Interactivity?’ 9. Technology and Determinism 10. Avatars and Videogame Identification 11. Gameworlds 12. New Media Convergence 13. Tanya Krzywinska ‘Videogames, and Other Media’. Conclusion. Glossary of Terms. Bibliography. Ludography (Referenced Videogames). Index

About the Author(s)

David Surman is the Associate programme leader and Lecturer in Computer Games Design and Associate Lecturer in Animation at the Newport School of Art, Media and Design, University of Wales, Newport.

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