Power Fantasy is a planned open, digital-only, middle-state journal of political game studies. That is, something somewhere between the centering nature of a formal academic journal and the public engagement of a blog or online magazine.
What is political game studies?
Hopefully rather straightforward. It broadly addresses elements of ludic relevance that symbolize or materialize dynamics of power, be they social or institutional. Much like how we use the word “political” elsewhere, such as in “political science.” This can range from the application of formal disciplines (e.g., international relations, political philosophy) to discussion of organic game/community-level dynamics. And more!
In many regards, work like this isn’t new. The framing is. It ought to remain just that as well: a frame with no (sub)disciplinary aspirations, unlike the project of an Appalachian game studies, which necessitates interdisciplinary conversations. We’re the town square rather than the town hall. We all understand power (differently). (See What is the middle-state format? below.)
We do, however (and because it must be said), reject legitimately harmful lines of questioning. These are also hopefully quite straightforward. Some topics may unfortunately have to do more work than usual to bear fruit for our purposes. We just don’t aim to reenact some of the gaming community’s most destructive tendencies. An editorial “manifesto” outlining this approach may be in order once the board is formed…
What is the “game” in game studies to you?
Power Fantasy locates digital games as but one form of play among many, and thus intends to feature discussions of analog games, sports, non-structured play, and beyond. As much effort will be applied as is necessary to maintain whatever balance as possible.
The idea is that, even though lessons from sports (as an example) may not seem immediately relevant, this is an assumption that must be challenged. For instance, I found the clearest metaphor for my discussion of “sociopolitical intrusion and integration” in themed and immersive settings in a comparison of the actions of Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick. Garry Crawford has also shown other ways we can learn from sports. Games are play is play, and so we all stand to gain from peering over the picket fence once in a while.
What is the middle-state format?
A middle-state journal, also known as a middle-state publication, is something somewhere between a formal academic journal and the energy of a blog or online magazine. It’s able to claim more authority and initiate more centered discussions than the latter, while able to move more quickly and engage the public more than the former. Here are a few pieces detailing this in-depth:
- Emma Vossen – Publish or Perish: Or Publish with Purpose?
- Steve Wilcox – On the Publishing Methods of Our Time: Mobilizing Knowledge in Game Studies
- Jason Hawreliak – Hybrid Publishing – The Case for the Middle State
- Bart Simon – Difficult Writing
- Emma Vossen – Academic Vigilantism
This list was borrowed from First Person Scholar, itself a middle-state publication if you want to check it out for examples. The concept isn’t exclusive to game studies though!
Another term in use within middle-state publication is feed-forward scholarship. Steve Wilcox has written a wonderful piece on this, which has heavily influenced what Power Fantasy aims to be. While it does seem to privilege the scholar, instead consider: what if we can get ahead not just in “facilitat[ing] the production of the texts [we] desire to study,” but also some of the less savory phenomena we’re afraid is rearing its ugly head once again? If they can organize, shouldn’t we, in solidarity with other gaming professionals and the community at large?
Aren’t you scared of repercussions?
A little, but I still believe that opening the gates might be a wise course of action to take. That is, exchanging in dialogue with those who academic inquiry tends to detach itself from, those who actually stand to benefit/receive harm from our initiatives and highlighted phenomena. This doesn’t mean welcoming in “the other side” so to speak, but it does mean challenging ourselves toward constructive aims, seeking tangible impact, learning from nontraditional audiences, and above all, highlighting that most of the gaming community isn’t “the other side.” I’m convinced this is a mission worth undertaking. I hope you are too.