In a previous post, I discussed how we define a game and how games differ from other play activities. Most of us have played games and already formed our own sense of what they are. So why spend time dissecting the concept—especially if you’re an aspiring game designer with a vision of your own?
A deeper understanding of games provides more than just trivia. It gives designers a stronger foundation for creating experiences that not only work but resonate, games that meet, and even surpass, player expectations. More importantly, looking closely at games helps us see them not just as entertainment, but as cultural artifacts, systems of meaning, and windows into human behavior.
Ludology
The study of games isn’t a modern phenomenon limited to video games and arcades. People have long been studying games from anthropology, psychology, literature, and, most recently, technological perspectives.
Ludology is the formal study of games, a term derived from the Latin words ludus, meaning “game,” and logia, meaning “study”. Ludology focuses on understanding games as systems and structures, examining their mechanics, rules, and gameplay experiences.
While ludology dates back to the mid-twentieth century, it gained attention in the late 1990s, particularly with Gonzalo Frasca’s influential paper, “Ludology Meets Narratology.” In this paper, Frasca argues that while games and narratives share similarities, they should not be studied under the same framework. He advocates for a distinct field of Ludology to better address the unique aspects of games. I will not be delving deeply into the Ludology vs. Narratology debate; it’s important to recognize this discussion as a factor in the development of game studies.
Narratology
Narratology is the study of narrative structure and its impact on storytelling. Narratology focuses on elements such as plot, character, and narrative techniques, examining how these components combine to create engaging stories across various media, including literature, film, and games.
Unlike narratology, which emphasizes narrative elements, ludology investigates how games function and how players interact with these systems, seeking to understand the unique aspects of games as interactive experiences.
Game Studies
The term Game Studies is widely used in academia, often preferred over “ludology.” Although the study of games has been discussed since the early twentieth century, it wasn’t until the 1990s, with the rise of video games, that “game studies” began to emerge as a distinct academic field. While much of the focus in game studies has been on video games, it is crucial to recognize that true game studies should encompass a broader exploration of games in general.
You’re a What Now?
Ludologist is the term for someone who studies games (i.e., ludology). However, to the general public, this term might raise a few eyebrows. To avoid any confusion and keep things more straightforward, academics generally use Game Studies instead.
In the foreword of Raph Koster’s book A Theory of Fun for Game Design, game designer Will Wright remarked that “games are tricky to study because they are so multidimensional.” He emphasized that game design involves various disciplines, including psychology, computer science, environmental design, and storytelling, among others. Wright argued that “to really understand what games are, you need to see them from all these points of view.”
Game studies as an academic discipline has been around for nearly 30 years, though it has yet to be regarded with the same prestige as other fields. One reason may be that game studies vary widely by program, course, and instructor. To further complicate matters, the discipline is often broken into distinct categories that study games from very different perspectives. These categories include game studies, game art, and game development. “Game studies” or “game design” often explore games primarily from sociological and psychological perspectives. Game art (sometimes also referred to as “game design”) focuses on the skills required for creating game art (2D or 3D) as well as the aesthetics and creative expression within the field. Game development (or game programming) studies games from a technological standpoint, emphasizing the functionality of a game. However, it is through a mix of all these perspectives that games can truly be understood and appreciated.
A Holistic Approach to Game Studies
For aspiring game designers, studying games from a holistic approach that examines all aspects of the discipline provides a clear image of what exactly a game is and how to design games that people want to play. Game designers who only focus on one aspect of the discipline might develop a profound game, but one that does not function well enough to be playable, or a game that is aesthetically pleasing with an engaging narrative but lacks meaningful interaction. Worse yet, they might create a game that is technically sound but simply not engaging to play at all.
Ultimately, studying game design through a broad lens is what allows designers to move beyond surface-level appeal and craft games that resonate on multiple levels.