Cite as:
Shaw I G R, Warf B, 2009, "Worlds of affect: virtual geographies of video games" Environment and Planning A 41(6) 1332 – 1343
Download citation data in RIS format

Worlds of affect: virtual geographies of video games

Ian Graham Ronald Shaw, Barney Warf

Received 16 August 2007; in revised form 21 August 2008; published online 6 April 2009

Abstract. Video games are virtual worlds, each with its own, distinctive spatiality. This paper suggests that there are two interrelated conceptual dimensions to the study of video games. First, there are the representational issues concerning the worlds depicted in video games, such as those portraying hypersexualized women or Orientalist depictions of Arab enemies. We suggest, however, that these cultural, sexual, and political representations are not the only forces doing work on the player within the virtual world of a video game. This paper complements a purely representational approach by considering ‘affect’ as a precognitive force which disrupts and delights the player with reactions ranging from fear to joy. We argue that, as the spatiality of video games has evolved from simple two-dimensional to complex three-dimensional worlds; the importance of an affective experience to the player has become paramount. Exploiting and manipulating the player’s sensory experience is now the central strategy for many game designers. The paper is divided in two interrelated sections: the first tackles representational issues from culture to violence, while the second section contributes to our understanding of video games as ‘worlds of affect’.

Restricted material:

 Full-text PDF size: 142 Kb

 References  69 references, 30 with DOI links ()

Your computer (IP address: 38.107.191.109) has not been recognised as being on a network authorised to view the full text or references of this article. Please contact your serials librarian (subscriptions information).