Key Dimensions of Contemporary Video Game Literacy: Towards A Normative Model of the Competent Digital Gamer

Authors

  • Christoph Klimmt Universität Mainz

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7557/23.5992

Abstract

Recent developments in digital games technology, economy, and content have further expanded the popularity of the medium. At the same time, requirements for competent gaming or digital game literacy need to be reconsidered in the light of the rapid evolution of digital games. The paper outlines three important dimensions of contemporary video game literacy: (1) Resilience against effects of game content on automatic cognition (such as stereotypes and aggressive thinking), (2) the ability to cope with social affordances of multiplayer games, and (3) the ability to manage inertia processes in playing motivation that result in a perceived risk of losing investments of time and effort when deciding against playing. Finally, the importance to substantiate game literacy concepts with scientific theory and empirical research is articulated.

Author Biography

Christoph Klimmt, Universität Mainz

Christoph Klimmt, Ph.D., is assistant professor ("Juniorprofessor") at the Department of Communication, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany. His main research interests are media entertainment, digital games, media effects, and social-scientific methods in communication science.

Downloads

Published

2009-02-26

How to Cite

Klimmt, C. (2009) “Key Dimensions of Contemporary Video Game Literacy: Towards A Normative Model of the Competent Digital Gamer”, Eludamos: Journal for Computer Game Culture, 3(1), pp. 23–31. doi: 10.7557/23.5992.

Issue

Section

Perspectives