SGC18: Patrick Prax - Player creators as self-determined hedonists?
0The Games industry makes heavy use of users/players as co-creators. One argument that is used in order explicitly de-prioritizes a political economy perspective states that (1) player creators enter into the relationship with the understanding that they will work for free; (2) there is a mutual benefit as a result of the collaboration of players and the production company; (3) players enjoy their co-creative activities.
This study investigates these arguments in the light of a case study. The result shows a considerable power inequality between the stakeholders which dismantles the notion of free choice of player creators.
About Patrick Prax:
Patrick Prax is assistent professor in Game Design and wrote his dissertation on the co-creation of digital games as alternative media. He is interested in how players can change the games they are playing to reflect an alternative perspective to a hegemonic world view.
Patrick has also been working with problematic gaming and game addiction, game journalism, games and learning and games and leadership. In a research project at the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology Patrick investigated the preservation and exhibition of digital games and appears in the newly opened exhibition Play beyond Play.
Video recording from Sweden Game Conference 2018, October 17-19, Arena Skövde
Organized by Sweden Game Arena
Website: swedengamearena.com/conference
Facebook: /SwedenGameArena
Twitter: @SwedenGameArena