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The Sociology of Video Gaming
The Sociology of Video Gaming
Monday, 11 July 2016: 14:15-15:45
Location: Dachgeschoss (Juridicum)
RC13 Sociology of Leisure (host committee) Language: English and French
Video games are today depicted as an evident leisure activity. Yet, the legitimization of this hobby has undertaken a chaotic track. Playing video games has, in fact, transformed from a marginal and isolated activity to a global and mainstream pastime.
A few countries have sparked national surveys about video gaming and its role in their societies. For instance, the Entertainment Software Association annually provides reports about American players. Knowledge about Europe is further brought by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe. On the other side of the world – in Australia and New Zealand – the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association orders national surveys every two years.
What about other regions of the world? What about China, India, South America, Africa, and the Middle East? What does playing video games in Russia look like?
While the scholarship on video gaming concentrates on specific issues (violence, addiction, well-being, gamification, etc.) or particular titles (World of Warcraft, GTA, etc.), this session aims to gather sociologists in order to identify the similarities and differences in this leisure around the globe. Geographically-centered associations of video game researchers are mushrooming to form bands of experts. Their regional conferences miss the opportunity to unite on a worldwide scale. By getting sociologists from every corner of the world together, the ISA Forum 2016 proffers a meeting ground where to discuss and debate global video gaming. Hence, this session in Sociology of Leisure accommodates a table around which all experts can break bread and share their researches.
Session Organizer:
Co-Chair: