2026 Reading Challenge
Genres

Game Studies


Game Studies Books

Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play Element in Culture
Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace
Persuasive Games: The Expressive Power of Videogames
Half-Real: Video Games Between Real Rules and Fictional Worlds
Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals (Mit Press)
An Introduction to Game Studies
Man, Play and Games
Cybertext: Perspectives on Ergodic Literature
The Art of Failure: An Essay on the Pain of Playing Video Games (Playful Thinking Series)
First Person: New Media As Story, Performance, And Game (Mit Press)
Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World
Unit Operations: An Appoach to Videogame Criticism
Games: Agency As Art (Thinking Art)
How Games Move Us: Emotion by Design (Playful Thinking)
The Grasshopper: Games, Life and Utopia
More game studies books...

Lists

The Invisible Game by Zoltan AndrejkovicsHalf-Real by Jesper JuulReady Player Two by Shira ChessHamlet on the Holodeck by Janet H. MurrayLiterary Gaming by Astrid Ensslin
Game Studies Study Buddies
33 books — 2 voters
What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy by James Paul GeeVideo Games and Learning by Kurt SquireGraduate Skills and Game-Based Learning by Matthew BarrDigital Game-Based Learning by Marc PrenskyThe Gamification of Learning and Instruction by Karl M. Kapp
Game-Based Learning Books
5 books — 1 voter

Rise of the Videogame Zinesters by Anna AnthropyThe Stuff Games Are Made of by Pippin Barr20 Essential Games to Study by Joshua BycerFun Inc. by Tom ChatfieldLiterary Gaming by Astrid Ensslin
LudoLit Books to Feature
24 books — 1 voter
Queer Game Studies by Bonnie RubergGaming Representation by Jennifer MalkowskiQueerness in Play by Todd HarperWomen and Video Game Modding by Bridget WhelanThe Queer Games Avant-Garde by Bonnie Ruberg
Queer Video Game Studies
13 books — 2 voters

Educational Game Design Fundamentals by George KalmpourtzisGaming at the Edge by Adrienne ShawRise of the Videogame Zinesters by Anna AnthropyWatch Me Play by T.L. TaylorMy Life as a Night Elf Priest by Bonnie A. Nardi
Game Studies books worth reading
47 books — 18 voters

Groups Tagged "Game Studies"

Game Studies Reading A place for sharing recommendations and for discussion of game studies related literature.
1 member, last active 7 years ago