Playing with progression, immersion, and sociality: Developing a framework for studying meaning in APPMMAGs, a case study

Abstract

Conventional video games are not only immersive, but also difficult to play; in addition, they require a considerable amount of time to learn and play. These features help in creating a sense of purpose or meaning in the game. However, in a game with no graphics, sound, story, or difficulty, how do players find or create this meaning for their in-game actions? This article explores Abstract Persistent Progressive Massively Multiplayer Asynchronous Games (APPMMAGs) – a class of games that do not possess any of the usual features associated with conventional video games. To explore these games, a theoretical framework is proposed that examines some common rhetorics of video game meaning-making – specifically, progression, immersion, and sociality – in the context of APPMMAGs.

Authors and Affiliations

Matt Bouchard

Keywords

Related Articles

Digital practices in everyday lives of 4 to 6 years old Romanian children

The purpose of this study is to present some findings of a broader research called Digital literacy and multimodal practices of young children from Romania. The mentioned research was part of the EU COST Action IS1410 in...

Creating an identity – safe spaces and events in LGBTQIA+ community: A literature review

Through history, people who are part of sexual minorities were marginalized, abused and for a long time had no or little rights. In order to discover the way that public and semi-public spaces are organized through sexua...

Change and contestation of meaning in the commemoration of Croatian Statehood Day

This paper examines issues surrounding the existing lack of more active engagement of Croatian citizens in the commemoration of some of the most important national holidays, in particular the Statehood Day. The paper is...

Once upon a tale. On the foundational role of narrative in constructing linguistic and social experience

This paper illustrates the importance of narrativity as a cognitive and linguistic procedure, and the role of storytelling as a social practice. After examining the structural analogy between the “story frame” and our wa...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP106311
  • DOI -
  • Views 132
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Matt Bouchard (2015). Playing with progression, immersion, and sociality: Developing a framework for studying meaning in APPMMAGs, a case study. Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology, 6(1), 3-25. https://europub.co.uk./articles/-A-106311