The fifth edition of this pioneering textbook takes video game studies into the next decade, highlighting changes in mobile, social, and casual gaming. Drawing from examples, the text explores the aesthetics of games, evaluates the cultural position of video games, and considers the potential effects of both violent and "serious" games.
From Pong to virtual reality, Understanding Video Games, 4th Edition, takes video game studies into the next decade of the twenty-first century, highlighting changes in the area, including mobile, social, and casual gaming.