Tue 17 Feb 2004
Nice to see the media pick up on the growth of game studies, or rather “ludology“. In parallel to the momentum behind game development curricula (ie, the training of game makers), this more studious approach to studying games has been picking up steam over the years - especially in Scandinavia (home of the game researchers association).
And, nice to see my buddy Jesper Juul getting some recognition as the first “game doctor”… Jesper is a freaking smart guy and it is just plain fun to talk to him about games (and yes, he’s an avid game player).
It is very encouraging to witness the emergence of a breed of academics that appreciate games, play games and can help us all to better understand them. A recent IGDA column points to some of the possibilities…
February 20th, 2004 at 12:21 am
Associated Press Says “Ludology”
A banner moment, as the word will be reprinted in local newspapers throughout the world. Note that it still isn’t in the dictionary. Researchers have long studied a few well-worn topics in games, particularly their violence and effect on social
June 2nd, 2004 at 12:55 pm
Actually I’m amazed that there’s a doctor’s degree at game studies. I’ve always considered games something useless, and even a kind of an illness. Well, of course I know gaming has its upsides… may be it’s time for me to learn more about games.
September 11th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I have no problem with the use of the name as applies to Jesper, but I’ve used the name “The Game Doctor” since the first issue of ELECTRONIC GAMES in 1981. I have chain of ownership that is unbroken from that date.
So I suspect that the adjective “original” may not be accurate. My book, “Confessions of The Game Doctor” was published by Rolenta Press (rolentapress.com) last year, btw.
And no, I’m not a doctor, I just play one in magazines and on the Internet.