Independent game development as craft
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Westecott, Emma (2013) Independent game development as craft. Loading… The Journal of the Canadian Game Studies Association, 7 (11). pp. 78-91. ISSN 1923-2691
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Westecott_IndependentGameDevelopmentAsCraft_2011.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (251kB) | Preview |
Abstract
This paper celebrates the rise of game making as craft in order to explicate the ways in which this activity is both empowering for those involved as well as at risk of reproducing less desirable aspects of the contemporary cultural landscape. One only has to look at independent game festivals to see how few women and other traditionally excluded groups are visible center stage in this rapidly developing sector – if we are not careful then the very same exclusionary practices that are evident in the mainstream sector will become embedded here. Craft has historically been seen as 'women's work' and the specific positioning of game making as craft in this paper is an intentional feminist act to claim this space and its potential to both play with and against ‘for profit’ game development. This paper blends feminist approaches, new craft theory and indie game culture with the intent of identifying opportunities and strategies for inclusivity for the independent games sector. It will elucidate some processes in action but also, importantly, identify routes forward for building a diverse community of independent game developers.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Feminism; independent games; games as craft; indie game design; women in games; feminist game studies |
| Divisions: | Research Programs > Digital Media Research + Innovation Institute (DMRII) |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Jan 2016 19:48 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Dec 2021 20:31 |
| URI: | https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/376 |
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