The Proteus Paradox: How Online Games and Virtual Worlds Change Us--and How They Don't

Author:   Nick Yee
Publisher:   Yale University Press
ISBN:  

9780300212723


Pages:   264
Publication Date:   14 April 2015
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   Not yet available   Availability explained
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

Our Price $52.80 Quantity:  
Pre-Order

Share |

The Proteus Paradox: How Online Games and Virtual Worlds Change Us--and How They Don't


Add your own review!

Overview

Proteus, the mythical sea god who could alter his appearance at will, embodies one of the promises of online games: the ability to reinvent oneself. Yet inhabitants of virtual worlds rarely achieve this liberty, game researcher Nick Yee contends. Though online games evoke freedom and escapism, Yee shows that virtual spaces perpetuate social norms and stereotypes from the offline world, transform play into labor, and inspire racial scapegoating and superstitious thinking. And the change that does occur is often out of our control and effected by unparalleled-but rarely recognized-tools for controlling what players think and how they behave. Using player surveys, psychological experiments, and in-game data, Yee breaks down misconceptions about who plays fantasy games and the extent to which the online and offline worlds operate separately. With a wealth of entertaining and provocative examples, he explains what virtual worlds are about and why they matter, not only for entertainment but also for business and education. He uses gaming as a lens through which to examine the pressing question of what it means to be human in a digital world. His thought-provoking book is an invitation to think more deeply about virtual worlds and what they reveal to us about ourselves.

Full Product Details

Author:   Nick Yee
Publisher:   Yale University Press
Imprint:   Yale University Press
ISBN:  

9780300212723


ISBN 10:   0300212720
Pages:   264
Publication Date:   14 April 2015
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available   Availability explained
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

Table of Contents

Reviews

It is often difficult to find a textbook suitable for undergraduates wanting to know more about video games and virtual worlds. Some texts are scientifically rigorous but lead the readers through a labyrinth of difficult prose, whereas some texts are 'soft' and easy to follow but lack the scientific rigor. Yee's book is a perfect balance of both. Based on over a decade's expertise in video games and how they influence players' attitudes and behaviors, Yee presents a multifaceted, up-to-date discussion of how game players think and why they are motivated to invest so many hours immersed in virtual worlds. --Sun Joo Ahn, Grady College, University of Georgia


Author Information

Nick Yee is currently a senior research scientist at Ubisoft, where he studies gamer behavior. He lives in Mountain View, CA.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions
Latest Reading Guide

Aorrng

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty
Shopping cart
Mailing List