Sponsored By

Well Played 1.0: Video Games, Value and Meaning

Well Played, a book that analyzes 20 something games in depth with pieces by lots of different folks, including me, is now available -- readable on the web, as a free text download, or for purchase.

Greg Costikyan, Blogger

May 21, 2009

1 Min Read
Game Developer logo in a gray background | Game Developer

This book, to which I contributed a chapter (on Europa Universalis), is now out; the editor is Drew Davidson of Carnegie Mellon.

"What makes a game good? or bad? or better?

Video games can be 'well played' in two senses. On the one hand, well played is to games as well read is to books. On the other hand, well played as in well done.

This book is full of in-depth close readings of video games that parse out the various meanings to be found in the experience of playing a game. 22 contributors (developers, scholars, reviewers and bloggers) look at video games through both senses of 'well played.'

The goal is to help develop and define a literacy of games as well as a sense of their value as an experience. Video games are a complex medium that merits careful interpretation and insightful analysis."

More about the book.

You can read it:

Read more about:

Blogs

About the Author

Greg Costikyan

Blogger

Greg Costikyan has designed more than 30 commercially published board, role playing, computer, online, social, and mobile games, including five Origins Awards winners (ludography at www.costik.com/ludograf.html); is an inductee into the Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame; and is the recipient of the GDC Maverick Award for his tireless promotion of independent games. At present, he is a freelance game designer, and also runs Play This Thing!, a review site for indie games. He is also the author of numerous articles on games, game design, game industry business issues, and of four published science fiction novels.

Daily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inbox

You May Also Like