Resources for Learning and Thinking about Games

Recently, someone on Reddit asked, "What are some must read texts for game design and fluency in reading deeper into games?" I gathered up all my favorite game-writing links and gave a brief summary of some of my own personal advice, and I posted a response. The content of that response has relevance to the stuff I write about on this blog, so I've transcribed it here in slightly edited form for the benefit of anyone grappling with a similar question:

My standard advice for becoming proficient in analysis is to not limit yourself to reading about games. To be truly good at it, you need a broader base; you should become fluent in film and literature and their analysis as well. Obviously, this also requires experiencing a decent selection of the important games, films, and writings, in addition to the essential games.

Some other reddit discussions that might be helpful in this regard (I replied to all of them with links and ideas):

• Are there any resources with which to learn how to review games as properly as possible?
• What are the essential readings in the games-as-art debate? - Note that the top-rated comment here is a quote from the preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray, underscoring my suggestion to go broader than games. Also, the entirety of the preface from which that quote is taken is essential reading.
• Essential Games - What games should be required playing for studying the medium? What's the 'game canon'?

Generally useful game websites:

• Critical Distance - A great aggregator of game writing. Lot's of essential reading here.
• Raph Koster's Website
• /r/ludology and /r/truegaming
• Gameology
• Critical Missive
• Brainy Gamer
• Ben Medler - Tread Digital
• Popular Culture Gaming
• FILMCRITHULK - Mostly film, but also TV and games. The film stuff is essential reading, too, though. This article is particularly relevant to games-as-art.
• Click Nothing - See also the article on here in which the term 'ludonarrative dissonance' was coined. This is a concept you should know.
• J Burger Analysis
• The Game Critique
• Gamasutra
• Vintage Game Club
• The Slowdown
• Medium Difficulty

For becoming literate in film, you can find out what some of the more important ones are at They Shoot Pictures. I won't add a list of film writings and websites because there are just too many. It might be worth picking up an intro to film studies text book like Film Art: An Introduction and a compilation of critical film writing like Film Theory and Criticism. If you want more detailed suggestions on readings in film, let me know; I'm a huge film nerd. Similarly, picking up a book on analyzing literature might be helpful, too.

Another trick to finding out what you should be reading for any area like this, whether it be game design or film studies, is to search for syllabi for university courses on the subject. Typically, such documents have lists of suggested reading. Of course, if you're a student still, you might even be able to take such a course.

Hope that helps someone out there!