Toward a Gameic World: New Rules of Engagement from Japanese Video Games

Toward a Gameic World examines how Japanese video games engage with social and personal issues such as trauma, a declining birthrate, aging population, nuclear proliferation, and youth social withdrawal, and proposes four new strategies of engagement to explore the productive tensions between virtual reality, augmented reality, and gamification.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2023
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Toward a Gameic World is a groundbreaking work that seamlessly connects Japanese popular culture studies with game studies, fostering a dialogue that revolves around Japanese-designed video games and pressing social issues. By delving into the examination of four contemporary Japanese video games, the book explores how these games engage with some of Japan's most significant social and personal challenges, including traumas such as natural disasters (Disaster Report), a declining birthrate and aging population (Catherine), nuclear proliferation (Metal Gear Solid V), and youth social withdrawal (The World Ends with You). This thought-provoking book raises important questions about the potential benefits of working through trauma within the context of a video game and how games can offer unique insights into Japanese culture and society through innovative interactive narratives that differ from traditional forms of literature and film.

Furthermore, the book proposes four novel strategies of engagement with video games to investigate the productive tensions that arise at the intersections of virtual reality, augmented reality, and gamification in contemporary Japan. By exploring these strategies, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics and evolving landscapes of gaming in Japan, shedding light on the ways in which games are shaping and transforming society.

In conclusion, Toward a Gameic World is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of culture, technology, and gaming in Japan. Through its insightful analysis and innovative approaches, the book offers valuable insights into the complex world of Japanese popular culture and gaming, paving the way for new understandings and perspectives on this rapidly evolving field.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472056149