Understanding Video Games is a crucial guide for newcomers to video game studies and experienced game scholars alike. This revised and updated third edition of the pioneering text provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of game studies, and highlights changes in the gaming industry, advances in video game scholarship, and recent trends in game design and development-including mobile, casual, educational, and indie gaming.

In the third edition of this textbook, students will:

Learn the major theories and schools of thought used to study games, including ludology and narratology;

Understand the commercial and organizational aspects of the game industry;

Trace the history of games, from the board games of ancient Egypt to the rise of mobile gaming;

Explore the aesthetics of game design, including rules, graphics, audio, and time;

Analyze the narrative strategies and genre approaches used in video games;

Consider the debate surrounding the effects of violent video games and the impact of serious games.

Featuring discussion questions, recommended games, a glossary of key terms, and an interactive online video game history timeline, Understanding Video Games provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in examining the ways video games are reshaping entertainment and society.