gaming Should Gamology Exist?

[cider float 2,535]

Should an academic study of video/computer games exist? I would like a mature discussion about this. Maybe not in grade schools but as a study in an university. For the sake of simplicity I'll call it Gamology. Maybe it's too ambitious to have a degree on this but it can be a thought.

 

Gamology could be a combination of computer programming, game programming, computer designing, history, math, art, literature all leading towards making games. It's like philosophy that combines multiple fields together. And unlike philosophy there is jobs relative towards gaming. The degree's requirements would follow studies in those said courses. The degree would just act helping students lead up to working in the game industry. Studies specific on gamology as a whole would involve learning about the history and origin of gaming, looking at those old Atari and retro games. 

 

I suppose the better thought is a degree that leads uni students towards becoming programmers and designers towards games. 

Edited December 1, 2015 by cider float

[Lisa 5,551]

The '-ology' suffix means 'study of,' so 'Study of Games' sounds like it could and possibly should exist. A subject which discusses, philosophises, teaches and analyses what makes a game good, the impacts of games, maybe the history of games (though it's pretty short), and how to create such. Seems like a useful and - considering the rising popularity of games - important subject.

Edited December 2, 2015 by Holiday on the Moon

[Black Sabbath 2,484]

Sure, if you like to waste both money and time.

[Anneal 2,194]

Games are a bit too complex to be studied like one entire degree, so it might be better if it was separate anyway. I mean, first of all you have computer science and electrical engineering involved, but then there's also micro and macroeconomics (how do companies or people sell these games, buy highly efficient servers for larger games, or negotiate in foreign places if you're looking to go international) involved.

 

Even after that there's the psychology of gaming (why people act "toxic" online, reaction towards an attack on their game, why players connect to their game avatars and how it reflects them) in the sphere as well. And then there's physics (figuring out the accurate mechanics for a simuation game), and social science (learning the activity of certain games before and the impact it has on people).

 

People often ignore that gaming isn't just wiring things up and getting ready to go, there's multiple facets to the matter.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Sealand

[cider float 2,535]

Games are a bit too complex to be studied like one entire degree, so it might be better if it was separate anyway. I mean, first of all you have computer science and electrical engineering involved, but then there's also micro and macroeconomics (how do companies or people sell these games, buy highly efficient servers for larger games, or negotiate in foreign places if you're looking to go international) involved.

 

Even after that there's the psychology of gaming (why people act "toxic" online, reaction towards an attack on their game, why players connect to their game avatars and how it reflects them) in the sphere as well. And then there's physics (figuring out the accurate mechanics for a simuation game), and social science (learning the activity of certain games before and the impact it has on people).

 

People often ignore that gaming isn't just wiring things up and getting ready to go, there's multiple facets to the matter.

Courses on how video games can lead to violence or not and the psychology aspect should lead to good discussions.

[Sekr Gray 520]

 

 

I suppose the better thought is a degree that leads uni students towards becoming programmers and designers towards games. 

 

While a specific Major degree towards gamology might not work in my opinion, I think it can still be a very good idea as a minor, or something similar. Want to be an graphic designer for the next Half-Life? Just take a Major in the appropriate art degree, and minor in games. You could do similar things with coding (programming degrees/computer software) script writing (English and creative writing degrees). The discipline of making a game is a bit too varied to have you learn and master every facet of it.

 

Another thought, and the one that I thought you were going to present, is a course on how to work the general concept over a game. Everybody has an idea for a game, but not many people know how to balance it, and make it into something fun, and accessible to new players. I ran a board game club in my High School that was essentially that, where we'd design tabletop games. The same principles of fair play, balanced skill/luck ratios to success, and goal setting is the largely same in both mediums. 

[TubeSock2018 325]

Perhaps in the future.

I mean, if there are film classes that analyze films and their significance to society, why not video games?

Games like Metal Gear Solid and Xenoblade Chronicles offer thought provoking themes and stories.

I'd say it will happen within the next 20 years.