Approaches to understanding identity

This chapter considers the possibilities of utilizing multiple approaches to discourse analysis to produce innovative work on gamer identities that borrows from the theoretical frameworks and understandings of fan studies. Game studies has long been interested in the practices of players—numerous studies have considered how and why they play, or do not play, games. Game studies and, to a lesser extent, fan studies are developing fields in which methods are still being perfected. As media culture, including video game culture, continues to evolve, analyses of dedicated viewers, players, listeners and others can aid in understanding the cultural, social and personal impact of media on daily life for both individuals and communities. Gamers additionally produce a tremendous amount of texts adjacent to their play activities by creating fan art, posting to social media, and participating in official and unofficial forums.

Aesthetics · Identity (music) · Educator Training and Historical Pedagogy · Hermeneutics and Narrative Identity · Jewish Identity and Society · Philosophy