is the title of a new, exciting volume published by . It combines perspectives from game studies, literary theory, the philosophy of fiction, film studies and science fiction studies, this pioneering work focuses its attention on an overlooked aspect of our relationship with games, that is games that exclusively exist as fictional props.
This new book by our own () and (Università di Torino, Italy) is the first systematic attempt to answer questions such as 'What roles do imaginary games have in story-telling?' and 'Why do fiction authors outline the rules of a game that the audience will never play?'
To do so, they introduce five key functions that different types of imaginary games have in worldbuilding.
- First, fictional games can emphasize the dominant values and ideologies of the fictional society they belong to.
- Second, some imaginary games function in fictional worlds as critical, utopian tools, inspiring shifts in the thinking and political orientation of the fictional characters.
- Third, a few fictional games are conducive to the transcendence of a particular form of being, such as the overcoming of human corporeality.
- Fourth, imaginary games within works of fiction can deceptively blur the boundaries between the contingency of play and the irrevocable seriousness of “real life”, either camouflaging life as a game or disguising a game as something with more permanent consequences.
- And fifth, they can function as meta-reflexive tools, suggesting critical and/or satirical perspectives on how actual games are designed, played, sold, manipulated, experienced, understood and utilized as part of our culture.
The book will soon be available both at the and as part of the collection of the .
Have fun!
