Rerolling Boardgames: Essays on Themes, Systems, Experiences and Ideologies

Boardgames have grown in popularity in recent years, becoming more diverse in genre, ethos, and content. The growth of gaming events and conventions has driven the evolution of game development, and boardgames provide an important glue to geek culture. This collection explores the many different approaches emerging around the critical challenges that boardgaming represents, from game theorists analyzing boardgame play and player behavior to game designers discussing the opportunities boardgame system designs offer for narrative and social play. Cultural theorists also discuss boardgames' complex history as both beautiful physical artifacts and special places within cultural experiences of play.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 227 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Despite the rise and proliferation of video games, board games have experienced a notable resurgence in recent years, offering a diverse range of genres, themes, and content. The growth of gaming events and conventions like Essen Spiel, Gen Con, and the UK Games EXPO, coupled with crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, has diversified the evolution of game development, increasingly driven by fan involvement. In academia, board games are being utilized as practical tools to teach design and game mechanics principles.

Game studies is also recognizing the significance of expanding its focus beyond the digital realm. While there has been some exploration of the critical challenges posed by board gaming, no comprehensive collection has yet been dedicated to examining the diverse approaches emerging in this field. This collection aims to address this gap by bringing together game theorists, designers, and cultural theorists to analyze board game play and player behavior, explore the complex interplay between sociality, conflict, competition, and cooperation, and discuss the opportunities board game systems offer for narrative and social play.

Cultural theorists also contribute to the discussion by examining board games' complex history as both beautiful physical artifacts and unique spaces within cultural experiences of play. By exploring these various perspectives, this collection aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the enduring appeal and significance of board games in contemporary society.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 152 x 224 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476670799