t. l. taylor

This Is How We Play It: What a Mega-LAN Can Teach Us About Games

T.L. — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:36:13 +0000

“This is How We Play It: What a Mega-LAN Can Teach Us About Games,” co-authored with Emma Witkowski, Foundations of Digital Games, Monterey, CA, June 2010.

[PDF]

Abstract

Using data gathered through our participant observation and informal interviews at DreamHack Winter 2005 and 2009 we explore a number of themes that not only provide insight into aspects of face-to-face real-time play at LAN parties but also highlight considerations for game studies more generally. In particular, we focus on the heterogeneity of play and experience, the role of spectatorship in computer gaming, the public performance of leisure and gamer identity, and the growing presence of women in game culture. We conclude by suggesting that researchers should begin to consider the much larger trend in which this form of leisure activity is integrating itself into mainstream pop/youth/network culture.

welcome

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:25:40 +0000

I’m in the process of updating my webpage using WordPress (yeah, I’m a bit behind the times) so please bear with me while I iron out the kinks. Thanks in advance for updating your bookmarks!

Play Between Worlds: Exploring Online Game Culture

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:45:10 +0000

Play Between Worlds: Exploring Online Game Culture. The MIT Press, March 2006.

hardcover & paperback.

Ethnography as Play

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:42:37 +0000

“Ethnography as Play”, under preparation.

Copy unavailable – Check back for updates/copy.

Assemblage of Play

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:40:55 +0000

“The Assemblage of Play”, Games and Culture, vol. 4, no. 4, 331-339, 2009.

(Correction to text: This piece was funded by the MacArthur Foundation.)

[PDF, pre-print]

Abstract
This article explores the notion of assemblage for computer game studies. Drawing on this framework the author proposes a multi-faceted methodological approach to the study of games and the play experience. Drawing on user-created mods (modifications) in the game World of Warcraft and an analysis of a raid encounter there, a discussion is undertaken about the relationship between technological artifacts, game experience, and sociality. Primary to the consideration is an argument for the centralizing the inter-relation of a variety of actors and nodes when analyzing lived play in computer games.

Internet & Games

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:40:02 +0000

“Internet & Games” in M. Consalvo, C. Ess, R. Burnett (eds.) The Blackwell Handbook of Internet Studies, Blackwell Publishing, forthcoming.

Copy unavailable, check back for updates.

Becoming a Player: Networks, Structures, and Imagined Futures

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:38:19 +0000

“Becoming a Player: Networks, Structures, and Imagined Futures” in Y. Kafai, C. Heeter, J. Denner, and J. Sun (eds.) Beyond Barbie and Mortal Kombat: New Perspectives on Gender, Games, and Computing, Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2008.

[PDF]

Pushing the Borders: Player Participation and Game Culture

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:35:44 +0000

“Pushing the Borders: Player Participation and Game Culture” in J. Karaganis (ed.), Network_Netplay: Structures of Participation in Digital Culture, New York: Social Science Research Council, 2007.

[PDF]

Unruly Play, History Lessons, and a Call for Non-Dichotomous Models

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:32:17 +0000

“Unruly Play, History Lessons, and a Call for Non-Dichotomous Models,” State of Play II, October 2004.

Copy unavailable. Please refer to my book Play Between Worlds for most recent version of the argument.

Beyond Management: Considering Participatory Design and Governance in Player Culture

T.L. — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:30:24 +0000

“Beyond Management: Considering Participatory Design and Governance in Player Culture”, First Monday, October 2006.

[link to online journal]