Abstract

Understanding games is understanding humanity.

◆From "Pong" to "Pokémon GO," you'll learn about the origins of super-famous games.
◆You'll gain a deep understanding of human intelligence, sensibilities, psychology, and behavior.
◆You'll understand the relationship between digital games as culture and education, and with people and society.

With 3 billion gamers worldwide, it may be difficult to talk about humanity without considering games. Understanding games is understanding humanity. In this book, instead of simply recording the lectures the author actually teaches at the University of Tokyo, the author has restructured the book, placing each game--which often plays a supporting role as an example when explaining theories and topics in lectures--into the main role. Each chapter is titled with a specific game title, making the significance and appeal of game research easily understandable to general readers.

Author’s Information

Born in 1973. Professor of Aesthetics and Art Studies at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, University of Tokyo. Completed doctoral studies at the same graduate school. Holds a PhD in Literature. Specializes in game studies and sensibility studies. After serving as a professor at the Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Ritsumeikan University, he assumed his current position in 2024. His major works in game studies include "Studies in Digital Games" (University of Tokyo Press, 2023, recipient of the Okawa Publishing Award), and his major works in musicology include "The Aesthetics of Absolute Music and the Divided " (Seikyusha, 2015, recipient of the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities).