Title (eng)
Beyond the Ivory Tower
POP-philosophy as public scholarship in game studies
Description (eng)
Book series like the Popular Culture and Philosophy series (focusing on Halo, Zelda,
BioShock) bridges academia and public discourse by translating complex theories
through gaming’s familiar worlds. These books democratize scholarship, functioning as
"gateway drugs" to deeper critical engagement. Unlike traditional research confined to
academic circles, they thrive in mainstream spaces (like bookstores), sparking broader
conversations about games as cultural artifacts. By framing games as vessels for
existential inquiry akin to literature or film, these texts undermine the stubborn
"high/low" culture divide that still marginalizes game studies. They legitimize the field
while preserving its populist appeal, striking a vital balance as academia faces growing
pressure to demonstrate public relevance. This opinion paper argues that such pop
philosophy works are not substitutes for rigorous scholarship, but indispensable
ambassadors, weaving games into humanistic discourse while inviting new audiences
to "play" with critical theory.
Keywords (eng)
game studiespop philosophyentry levelpublic scholarship
Type (eng)
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
Is in series
Title (deu)
MAD Opinions
Volume
1
Date issued
2025-07-30
License
- Citable links
- Details
- Usage statistics-
- This object is in collection
- Metadata
- Export formats