Players Unleashed!

Book Launch, Amsterdam University Press.

9 Mar 2011

Tanja Sihvonen presents Players Unleashed! Modding "the Sims" and the Culture of Gaming. In this book Sihvonen discusses the cultural, aesthetic and operational dimensions of modifying ("modding") games, and examines how participatory gamers wound up influencing game design. Please RSVP.

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Players Unleashed! book cover - Players Unleashed! by dr. Tanja Sihvonen, published by Amsterdam University Press. Book cover found on eBOOKS4ALL.

Players Unleashed!

Sihvonen examines the technical and material specifications of The Sims mods, as well as their cultural context. From its historical roots in the shoot 'em up games, the author bares the fascinating evolution and dynamics of modding, where gender stereotypes, the thrills of hacking and living the Sims American Dream intersect with the aesthetic and operational dimensions of modding.

A panel discussion will follow with Tanja Sihvonen and David Nieborg. Nieborg is a PhD-student at the Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis (ASCA). His research concerns the political economy of the gaming industry.

After all this talking we'll put theory into practice. A special DJ performance by experimental artist Neurobit will start at 8.30pm.

More information

Doors open at 6.30pm, the evening starts at 7.00pm. Location: Mediamatic Bank, Vijzelstraat 68 Amsterdam.

The book launch is part of the Arcade exhibition. Arcade is an expanding collection of old and new games and technologies. We kicked off with a collection of arcade video games operating alongside our newly developed interactive installations. Exhibition space meets arcade. Come play with us. The exhibition closes on March 27th. Open from 13:00 - 19:00 during the week, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 13:00 - 18:00.