How They Got Game: cultural implications of interactive simulations and video games

Based in Stanford's Humanities Lab (SHL), a founding member of HASTAC, this project explores how video games shape local and global culture. Once the late-night amusement of nerds and hackers, video games and interactive media have emerged as one of the most vibrant elements of today’s entertainment and military industries. Massively multiplayer games bring into contact players from many countries, cultures, and age groups, challenging players to individually and collaboratively contemplate and manipulate the history and future of virtual worlds. Militaries are using similar platforms to develop strategy and train troops and ultimately create change in the real world. Despite the growing popularity and legitimacy of these games, the importance of the medium has all but eluded notice by most scholars. This project explores and documents the development and impact of such networked, interactive, massively multiplayer virtual worlds.