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May 08, 2024
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MS 147I PO - Topics in Media Theory:Video Game Studies
CrsNo MS 147I PO
When Offered: Fall 2013.
Instructor(s): M. Shurkus
Right now millions of people across the globe are playing video games. Once considered a fad that largely served a niche market primarily composed of teen-age boys, video games have completely infiltrated culture and become a hugely profitable industry. In 2008 Americans alone spent over $11 billion on gaming! It all began in 1961 in a basement room at MIT when the first volley of “Spacewar!” silently crashed into an enemy spaceship. Or did it begin the pinball arcades of the 1940s? One of the questions we will take up in this course is what constitutes a game and the phenomenon of play. Building on these insights we will explore the ongoing cultural influences and historical development of video games. Central to our investigation will be issues related to gender, race, ludology, narrative and cinematic structures, and much more. Students will be expected to spend several hours reading theory and analyzing video games, which of course will entail playing as well! Letter grade only. Prerequisites: MS 049 PO , MS 050 PO or MS 051 PO .
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