Explores the analysis and critical interpretation of games and interactive narrative / playable media, considering theories of games and play in general and focusing on computer games and video games in particular. How does one approach a game for the purpose of analysis, interpretation, or critique? With what techniques (theoretical and practical) does one deal with a game–or other piece of interactive media–as a research object?

Critical readings outline theories of games from historical, critical, and design perspectives–from Marshall McLuhan’s “Games: the extensions of man” to Koster’s “A Theory of Fun for Game Design.” In addition to overviews and framing the field, topics in the course may include: design theories; classifications and typologies of games; cultural critique of games and power (capital, empire); values, persuasive and serious games; platform studies; and critical code studies. Readings are drawn from authors such as Aarseth, Bogost, Bolter and Grusin, Caillois, Crawford, Flanagan and Nissenbaum, Frasca, Galloway, Juul, Koster, Marino, McLuhan, Montfort, and Perron and Wolf, among others.