Lost in a Good Game: Why we play video games and what they can do for us

by Pete Etchells

Overview

An exploration of the psychological effects - the pleasures, benefits and disbenefits - of computer games, and a touching memoir of a dedicated gamer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785786143
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing
Publication date:	02/06/2020
Pages:	340
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.72(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Dr Pete Etchells is a lecturer in psychology at Bath Spa University, whose field of research is the behavioural effects of videogames on the human brain. He writes the acclaimed Headquarters blog for the Guardian and blogs for cosmicshambles.com. This is his first book.

Table of Contents

Prologue ix

1 Dragons and demons 1

2 A brief history of early video games 17

3 Why do we play video games? 45

4 Control and imagination 69

5 A brief interlude 95

6 Are violent video games bad for us? 111

7 Moral panics 137

8 Are video games addictive? 161

9 Screen time 193

10 Immersion and virtual reality 219

11 Wayfaring and wayfinding 249

12 Digital spectator sports 269

13 Loss 293

Acknowledgements 315

Bibliography 319

About the author 340

Editorial Reviews

'Once in an age, a piece of culture comes along that feels like it was specifically created for you, the beats and words and ideas are there because it is your life the creator is describing. Lost In A Good Game is exactly that. It will touch your heart and mind. And even if Bowser, Chun-li or Q-Bert weren't crucial parts of your youth, this is a flawless victory for everyone.'

Adam Rutherford

'Etchells writes eloquently ... A heartfelt defence of a demonised pastime.'

The Times

'An anecdotal survey that is enriching and touching, while issuing a challenge to the bad science surrounding the subject.'

New Statesman

'Pete Etchells' debut book Lost in a Good Game takes the reader on a much needed, highly informative, but still intriguingly personal journey through the much maligned yet increasingly beloved and influential world of video games.'

Dean Burnett

'Etchells writes eloquently ... A heartfelt defence of a demonised pastime.'

The Times