Jesper Juul, ludologist, video game theorist. He holds a PhD. in video game theory from the Center for Computer Games Research in Copenhagen, lecturer at Comparative Media Studies at MIT. One of the reviewers at first academic periodical, solely devoted to video games, Game Studies, author of Half-Real: Video Games Between Real Rules and Fictional Worlds.
New book by Jesper Juul that worth checking for those who interested in video games studies (and in general for those who interested in games in depth):
"A Casual Revolution is a hard look at the unique characteristics of games outside of the hardcore. Juul pushes past the prejudice that casual games are somehow lesser experiences and presents a multifaceted view of 'casualness,' casual players and the non-trivial role of these deeply engaging games in our social and cultural lives."
- Tracy Fullerton, Director, USC Game Innovation Lab, USC School of Cinematic Arts, Interactive Media Division
"A thoughtful examination of casual gaming. I wouldn't be surprised to find this book sitting on the shelves of game developers, marketers, and scholars. Juul has combined player ethnography, developer interviews, and informed analysis to produce an exemplary piece of game research."
- Chaim Gingold, Designer, Spore Creature Creator
"An indispensible read for anyone interested or working in the field of video games. Jesper Juul makes sense of the shifting terrain of video game audiences and proves to be one of the finest minds in video games. A ground-breaking book!"
- Sean Baptiste, Manager of Community Development, Harmonix Music Systems
//Not sure if I'm entitled to give a direct link, but you may pre-order it at Amazon. Half-Real by the same author and Cybertext by Espen Aarseth worth checking as well. Academic research on video games is not a common thing among various gaming publications, should be viewed as new filed of culturology (cultural anthropology) and attract more attention than it has now.
