Introduction to Game Studies in the Twenty-First Century

When:
Thursday, September 2, 2021 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Where:

Zoom Webinar

Description:

Much of society and parents in particular frown on video game culture. Spending time and money on gaming is believed to be a waste of resources. Recently, China referred to video games as "spiritual opium" and wants strict regulations on video gaming. However, in 2021, studies have shown that gamers spend an average of 6.5 hours/week playing games and the video gaming industry is estimated to be valued at over $170 billion. And now, eSports competitions have become part of the Olympics.

What is so attractive about video games or just games in general? Why do people play them, and what are the cultures surrounding games and gamers? How does gaming impact human psychology and societies?

The first episode of the Video Games mini-series looks at game studies and the various reasons people have become interested in game studies research; from mainstream video games to mobile games to eSports.

Please register to listen as Patrick Jagoda, Ashlyn Sparrow and Peichi Chung discuss games studies in the 21st century.

9:30pm      South Korea | Japan
8:30pm      Hong Kong | Beijing | Singapore
6:00pm      Delhi
2:30pm      Paris
1:30pm       London
7:30am      Chicago

Speakers

Patrick Jagoda
Game Designer
Professor, Department of Cinema and Media Studies
University of Chicago

Ashlyn Sparrow
Independent Game Designer
Assistant Director of Weston Game Lab
University of Chicago

Peichi Chung
Associate Professor
Department of Cultural and Religious Studies
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Moderator

Mark Barnekow (MBA '88)
Executive Director
The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong

About /pɒp/Asia

The UChicago Yuen Campus /pɒp/Asia series will address topics that originate, revolve around and affect the Asia-Pacific Region. From music and anime to tattoos and the exploding interest in crypto currencies, we’ll explore the cultural goings-on in deep corners around the region and how they are influencing the rest of the world. Read more.