Read any good books lately? The University of Minnesota Press is a good place to look. The Press is known for its boundary-breaking titles on everything from arts and culture to business and technology. Here’s our monthly recommendation and giveaway for the business community.
In “How to Do Things With Videogames,” author Ian Bogost explores how videogames have become fully integrated into how we work, learn, vote, shop, and even feel. As a game creator himself, Bogost convinces readers that games should have ambitions beyond distracting us.
Over the past few years, the University of Minnesota Press has published several titles on video games in addition to Bogost’s book. Doug Armato, director of U of M Press, says it’s an important area of discussion for understanding culture.
“There was a time — not so long ago, really — when many in academia questioned if movies were worth serious scholarly analysis, and later the same doubts were expressed about television,” says Armato. “And if you go back far enough, there was skepticism whether literature written in modern languages, rather than in Greek or Latin, merited study.”
Want to score a free copy of “How to Do Things With Videogames”?
Simply leave a comment below by Friday, Nov. 4, for a chance to win. We’ll notify the winner via email.
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October 14, 2011 at 11:28 am
Ooh. I loved Bogost’s first book and I’ve been looking forward to this one.
October 14, 2011 at 11:28 am
Always a fan of Ian Bogost. Would be a joy to read.
October 14, 2011 at 11:28 am
Excellent! I’ve got the first post! I saw Ian Bogost speak about games during one of my graduate school classes @ Iowa State Univ. and I’d love to get my hands on a copy.
October 14, 2011 at 11:29 am
I want “to score” a copy.
October 14, 2011 at 11:31 am
I always wanted to read this book, but never got around to it. Bogost is full of wisdom.
October 14, 2011 at 11:43 am
Been actually looking into the subject, will keep an eye out for reviews
October 14, 2011 at 11:43 am
I wanna win! <3 Cow Clicker.
October 14, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Just started following ibogost on twitter. Had that book recomended at gameit conference in cph. Got to get it!
October 14, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Enjoyed Racing the Beam. Will read this one too.
October 14, 2011 at 12:45 pm
I would love to win a copy of this book, it might get me to finally finish reading Persuasive Games.
Thanks.
October 14, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Awesome contest!
October 14, 2011 at 1:35 pm
I already bought this book, read it, really enjoyed it, and passed it on to a student—I’d love another copy to give away! (I’m teaching it in a class next semester, too…)
October 14, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Bogost makes as think and keep augmenting the bandwidth of video games.
October 14, 2011 at 9:57 pm
I enjoyed Persuasive Games and would love to read this one.
October 15, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Ian rules <3
October 17, 2011 at 2:43 am
Would love to win a copy of Bogost’s book, I have this book on my wishlist as I am a student of Game Design, but living costs don’t always allow for purchasing extra books!
October 20, 2011 at 11:05 am
Sounds very interesting–throw my name into the hat!!
October 22, 2011 at 1:44 am
This book is a testament to exactly how integrated gaming is becoming in our society, and knowing of its existence is enough to make me happy. I’d love to wind up with a copy of my own.
November 4, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Congrats to Christopher Schaberg, the winner from our random drawing. We’ll follow up via email shortly. Thanks to everyone for commenting!