Behind the Scenes of the Video Game Industry

Storytelling, Power Dynamics, and Myth

AvJan Švelch

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

Del i serien Games and Play

2 325 kr

Kommande

Beskrivning

Behind-the-Scenes of the Video Game Industry explores the untold stories behind video game production. It investigates how behind-the-scenes narratives and making-of materials are shaped by power dynamics within the video game industry and they often reinforce the existing professional hierarchies by shining the spotlight on those who are already at the top. Which roles, however, are further undervalued? How are crunch and other problematic work practices normalized and obscured to both the industry practitioners and the public?This book builds on concepts of paratextuality and the growing field of production studies to offer a critical framework for the analysis of industrial storytelling and reflexivity, supported by empirical case studies on art books, game awards, and promotional materials. Readers will gain insights into how these narratives influence the video game industry’s status quo, making it an essential resource for understanding the hidden forces shaping game production.This book is relevant to students and scholars interested in video games, media, film, or more broadly cultural industries. It can also be helpful for video game developers and aspiring game makers by showing the impact of behind-the-scenes materials on the current status quo of the video game industry.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-08-17
Mått:156 x 234 x undefined mm
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Games and Play
Antal sidor:176
Förlag:Pallas Publications
ISBN:9789048573202

Utforska kategorier

Konstböcker inom Kultur
Medievetenskap inom Samhälle och politik
Grafik och bildbehandling inom Data och IT

Mer om författaren

Jan Švelch is a researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Czechia. His research interests include game production studies, video game voice acting, industrial reflexivity, paratextuality, and analog games. He is the author of Gaming the Iron Curtain (2018) and co-edited Game Production Studies (2021, with Olli Sotamaa).

Innehållsförteckning

Table of ContentsIntroductionThe State of Video Game IndustriesTheoretical Framework and MethodologyStructure of the BookAcknowledgmentsBibliographyPart A: Frameworks and Foundations1. Theory of Industrial StorytellingA Quick Note on Authorship TheoryParatextualityIndustrial Reflexivity, Para-Industry, and the Shadow AcademyAudiences, Production Trivia, and Production LiteracyBibliography2. Production Realities and ReflectionsGame Development Roles and Team CompositionClaiming Individual AuthorshipAuthorship Terminologies and Cinematic RemediationConclusions and AlternativesBibliography3. The Many Voices of Industrial StorytellingThe Figurative Line and its Relevance for the Video Game IndustryCorporate ReflexivityAbove-the-Line ReflexivityBelow-the-Line ReflexivityCompeting Agendas in Industrial ReflexivityBibliographyPart B: Practices4. Making-of Materials: Promotion and CommodificationPromotion: Stray Gods’ Making-of as Promotable FactsCommodification: Art BooksConclusions: Selling a StoryBibliography5. The Game of the YearCultural Awards as Industrial ReflexivityGame Awards and PrizesThe Game Awards: AnalysisThe Game Awards as a Venue for Industrial ReflexivityBibliographyConclusion: Dispelling Myths of Industrial StorytellingHarmful versus HelpfulObfuscation versus TransparencyProduction “Magic”People versus BrandsIdealization and Vilification of Video Game CompaniesPassion DiscourseHow to Change the Unsustainable Status QuoBibliographyIndex