Game Worlds: A Howard Becker Influenced Institutional Theory of Games
Abstract
Usually the term "Gameworld" or "game world" refers to an in-game space of a digital game designed by developers and enjoyed by players. In this article, I am not using the term in that way. I am interested in situating the makers, supporters, and critics of the game world in relationship to one another, using the template set forth in Art Worlds written by Howard S. Becker in 1982. His institutional theory of art serves as an exemplar to comprehend the game world from a sociological viewpoint. Currently, no one has taken the time to sort out the sociological structure of the construction, delivery and reception of games. This article fills that gap.