Today millions of people around the world are playing video games at any given time. From Pong to Playstation 2 and beyond, Understanding Video Games is the first general introduction to the burgeoning field of video game studies-it traces the history of the medium, introduces the major theories developed to analyze video games, examines the core elements of game design, and addresses the major debates surrounding the medium. Authored by members of the Center for Computer Games Research, described byThe New York Timesas the "hub" of game studies research, this book is essential reading for scholars, gaming enthusiasts, aspiring game designers, and anyone interested in understanding the ways video games are reshaping popular culture and entertainment.