Game Invaders: The Theory and Understanding of Computer Games

by Clive Fencott, Mike Lockyer, Paul Massey

Presenting a holistic and thoroughly practical investigation of the true nature of computer games that arms readers with a small yet powerful set of theories for developing unique approaches to understanding games. Game Invaders fully integrates genre theory, new media aesthetics, perceptual opportunities, and semiotics into a practical DIY toolkit for games analysis―offering detailed guidance for how to conduct in-depth critiques of game content and gameplay. Featuring an informal and witty writing style, the book devotes a number of chapters to specific games from all eras, clearly demonstrating the practical application of the theories to modern, large-scale computer games. Readers will find: • Suggestions on how to apply the DIY package to major issues central to understanding computer games and their design • Coverage of the semiotics of video games, laying the foundation for such topics as the role of agency and virtual storytelling • Tasks and solutions for readers wishing to practice techniques introduced in the book • A companion website featuring access to an app that enables the reader to conduct their own activity profiling of games An important resource for those wishing to dig deeper into the games they design, Game Invaders gives game designers the skills they need to stand out from the crowd. It is also a valuable guide for anyone wishing to learn more about computer games, virtual reality, and new media.

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2012

About the author

Clive Fencott (born 1952) is a writer and sound poet, a performer associated with the British Poetry Revival, and an academic.

Fencott was born in Lydney and began writing poetry in the mid-sixties while studying at art college. In 1974 he attended experimental poetry workshops at the Poetry Society organised by Bob Cobbing. From this he developed an interest in improvised vocal performance and went on to perform around Britain, Europe and the USA, particularly at sound poetry festivals. He later worked with Bob Cobbing, and also with cris cheek and Lawrence Upton in the performance group JGJGJG, of which he was a founder member.

In the 1970s and 1980s his work was published by small press companies such as: Writers Forum, Pirate Press, Underwich Editions and Bluff Books; and magazines Rawz, Poetry Information, words worth, and Pod. In the early 1990s he began an association with Bill Griffiths, producing two co-written pieces for performance: The Dinosaur Park and Variations on the Life of Cuthbert. Since then his writing has concerned extended poetic prose pieces.

In 1987 he moved to the North East of England to take up an academic post at Teesside Polytechnic (later Teesside University), where he has remained as a lecturer and a researcher in digital media and video game theory in the School of Computing. He received a PhD in virtual reality theory in 2003 and has over forty academic publications to his name. [wikipedia]