Taylor Plays Between Worlds

Former TN author TL Taylor (Center for Computer Games Research, ITU Copenhagen) has written a new book that's just come out, Play Between Worlds: Exploring Online Game Culture. It's a must-read. I get so many emails and calls from people who cannot understand why these spaces matter to those immersed in them. I try to 'explain' it, but I am not sure it can be 'explained'. You have to experience it. Read this book and you'll be a lot closer to experiencing it, and maybe close to getting it. Taylor's approach is ethnographic; she puts you inside the realms and exposes you to the things that happen, all with a sound critical eye. Highly recommended.

Comments

[Michael Chui]

1.

I get so many emails and calls from people who cannot understand why these spaces matter to those immersed in them. I try to 'explain' it, but I am not sure it can be 'explained'.

You can't, at least, not yet, explain a perspective, because you're forced to work within the ignorant inquirer's worldview. They don't have the knowledgebase to work with. They're immersed. To understand what it means to be immersed, you must be immersed, too.

Just fodder for your reply emails.

[Thomas Malaby]

2.

Can't wait to read it (t's winging its way from Amazon as we speak) I had my hands on a copy only briefly at GDC [/shakes fist at Julian].

[Daniel Speed]

3.

Bowing to the sound of inevitability:

"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."

[Tom]

4.

Maybe it is you who cannot understand how unimportant they are?

[Michael Chui]

5.

Maybe it is you who cannot understand how unimportant they are?

He's being asked why they are. I don't think their importance is up for debate. =P

[Daniel Speed]

6.

Tom: Given that the latest thing posted on the blog linked through the URL you gave is something contemplating addiction to online games and why people become so immersed in them, that seems like a strange question.

[TL]

7.

Belated thanks for the plug Ted! I notice we are bundled together at Amazon now ;)

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