Grounding Game Studies
Workshop/symposium at Department of Media, Cognition and Communication,
University of Copenhagen.
May 28 from 10.00 to 17.00 in room 14.2.23 at KUA2
Confirmed speakers:
Kristine Jørgensen (University of Bergen)
Rikke Toft Nørgaard (University of Århus)
Bernard Perron (University of Montreal)
Espen Aarseth (IT University)
Felix Schröter (University of Hamburg)
Andreas Gregersen (University of Copenhagen)
These days, we do not suffer from a lack of perspectives applicable to the study of
video games: formalism, literary theory, media studies, sociology, psychology, economy
and philosophy of several schools are all found at game studies conferences and in the
requisite journals. Is there a common basis for this plethora of perspectives? Do we
need one? The “Ludology vs. narratology” debate was an early take on this, but the
particular form of that debate has in later years caused it to be denounced as
misguided. One could argue, however, that this question of foundations is always
implicit and highly relevant even if seldom explicated. Any given text on video games
demonstrates and to some extent champions a particular perspective simply by virtue
of doing things a particular way.
These issues have recently been placed squarely on top of the agenda by several
scholars and some of the terms have been those of field vs. discipline. The
developments within game studies thus seem to mirror developments within media
studies where the debate about field and discipline has been active for several decades,
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but no consensus has been reached there. Maybe we can (momentarily) agree on
grounding game studies as a field – or a discipline. But, do we need to put these in the
plural form? And what about theories and methods – do they follow from the first or
are they to some extent autonomous? Can we reach common ground? And again, do we
need to?
This workshop invites speakers to reflect more explicitly on the grounding of game
studies in general and their own studies of games. While the nomenclature of field or
discipline is optional, speakers may find inspiration here. The general spirit should not
be to put down other perspectives but enter into playful and perhaps, if need be,
agonistic discourse. But this should not be an exercise in controversy. The main aim is
to learn something about our own presuppositions. To paraphrase an early debate,
when speakers are thrown a ball, they should not wait around for a story. Rather, we
should all pick up that ball and play along with the best of intentions: If a tale or two is
spun along the way, so be it.
The workshop is open for everyone, but registration is necessary. If you would like to
attend, send an email to Andreas Gregersen (agr@hum.ku.dk).
The workshop is organized as part of the priority research area Cognition and
audiovisual media at Department of Media, Cognition and Communication, UCPH.
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