Video games

Call for papers
for a synmposium, issue of
Simulation & Gaming: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Theory, Practice, and Research
on the theme of
Video game theory and research:
Current perspectives and practices

Guest editors:
David Myers, Loyola University, New Orleans, USA - dmyers AT loyno.edu
John Colwell, University of Westminster, London, UK - j.colwell AT wmin.ac.uk

Although Simulation & Gaming has been publishing academic studies of games and gaming for over thirty years, the more narrowly focused field of video game studies has experienced recent rapid growth and popularity. In the wake of new online and offline journals, undergraduate and graduate academic programs, and international conferences and colloquia devoted specifically to video game studies, the editors of this special issue of S&G would like to review and, if possible, consolidate the methodologies and theoretical assumptions currently applied to the scholarly study of video games.

This special issue is intended to be a compilation and consolidation -- not a compromise -- of the current diversity of video game studies. To this end, the editors hope to delineate the assumptions guiding contemporary video game research and to highlight contrasts and contradictions that such a delineation might reveal. Although original research exemplifying current video game research practices and perspectives will be considered, the editors especially encourage submission of detailed summaries and well reasoned evaluations of existing studies. Ideally, this issue would serve as a reference volume for those currently involved or wishing to become involved in the scholarly study of video games.

The editors solicit articles summarizing and reviewing video game research within particular academic perspectives or approaches (e.g., aesthetics, literature, psychology, sociology) and/or articles summarizing currently existing bodies of video game research with common research goals and/or methodologies (e.g., studies of the effects of video game violence, or ethnographic techniques applied to video game study). In particular, the editors seek rigorous comparative and critical analyses of historical trends, methodological techniques, and/or theoretical assumptions relevant to and widespread within current video game research. Comparative literature reviews dealing with major publications in the field would also be welcome.

Prospective authors should submit electronically either a full manuscript – following the S&G Author Guide – or an abstract of 500 words or less to both of the two guest editors. We aim to make the first selection towards the end of 2004; however, it may be possible to accept proposals in early 2005.

Further inquires concerning potential topics, formats or dates for this symposium issue may be directed to either of the two guest editors.