The postmodern joy of role-playing games : agency, ritual and meaning in the medium / René Reinhold Schallegger.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Schallegger, René Reinhold, author.

Series:

Studies in gaming

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fantasy games--Social aspects.

Fantasy games.

Genre:

Fantasy games.

Physical Description:

v, 250 pages ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2018]

Summary:

"Core concepts of postmodernism are evident in pen-and-paper role-playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons. Exploring the interrelationship among narrative, gameplay, players and society, the author raises questions regarding authority, agency and responsibility, and discusses the social potential of RPGs in the 21st century"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 The Power of Words: Postmodernism in a Nutshell 11

2 Homo Ludens: Theories of Play and Games 45

3 Of Dice and (Wo)Men: What Are Role-Playing Games? 69

4 Generations: The Origins and Development of RPGs 104

5 Constructing Understanding: RPG Theory 141

6 Metalanguage: Critical Literature on RPGs 164

7 Reframing: Alternative Theoretical Perspectives 181.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781476664934

1476664935

OCLC:

1000050643