Gameology: Commentary and Resources for the Game Studies Community

It might be interesting to note that non-academics are struggling with this issue as well for different reasons entirely.

Doug Lowenstein of the Entertainment Software Association recently proposed at the LA Games Conference that the industry switch from videogames to interactive entertainment in an appeal to the public to take games more seriously as a medium.

I am happy that this has been brought up because every time I write a paper I struggle with this terminology. Right now, as usual, I am writing about both video and computers games and I hate having to use such a long phrase to describe my subject of interest. Eventually, once I am confident my reader realizes that's what I am talking about, I just start using "games."

In a way, Lowenstein's plea resonates with me because I like the political motivation of the switch and the blanket term, but I hate the length of the term and the problems of defining interactivity.

We need something as efficient as Film or Television.

Tanner
http://tannerhiggin.the-means.com