In How to Do Things with Videogames Ian Bogost presents twenty different actions or sentiments that videogames can foster. Surely there are more. For this project you will write a missing chapter of How to Do Things with Videogames. While each of Bogost’s chapters are approximately 2,500 words, your own missing chapter should be about 2,000 words. Your goal is to follow the form and style of the original chapters, but to venture a single new “thing” to do with videogames.
Keep in mind the characteristics of the typical chapter in Bogost’s book:
- An introduction to the chapter’s theme as it exists outside the world of videogames. The introduction often presents a brief history or theoretical overview of the topic.
- A “pivot point”—a specific instance from the history or theoretical overview that Bogost uses to pivot into the world of videogames.
- The inclusion of multiple games to illustrate the theme of the chapter (or the potential of the theme). Bogost typically talks about ten or so games in each chapter, sometimes mentioning a few of them only briefly. He pulls from a variety of platforms (consoles, PCs, browser-based games, mobile devices, and so on) and he does not limit his examples strictly to well-known games, as he also includes indie, retro, and older games. To find relevant recent indie games, check out jayisgames, tigsource, gamejolt, forest ambassador, and itch.io
- An in-depth consideration of at least one or two games.
- A conclusion to the chapter that looks ahead to the future of videogames, often setting up some challenge for game developers or players to take up.
In addition to these features, remember that the tone of each chapter is confident and persuasive, but also at times whimsical and wistful.
Your Missing Chapter will be due as a Google Doc by midnight on Friday, October 14.