Element 68Element 45Element 44Element 63Element 64Element 43Element 41Element 46Element 47Element 69Element 76Element 62Element 61Element 81Element 82Element 50Element 52Element 79Element 79Element 7Element 8Element 73Element 74Element 17Element 16Element 75Element 13Element 12Element 14Element 15Element 31Element 32Element 59Element 58Element 71Element 70Element 88Element 88Element 56Element 57Element 54Element 55Element 18Element 20Element 23Element 65Element 21Element 22iconsiconsElement 83iconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsiconsElement 84iconsiconsElement 36Element 35Element 1Element 27Element 28Element 30Element 29Element 24Element 25Element 2Element 1Element 66
Playing on the Net – Systematising the Phenomenon of “Online Games”

Playing on the Net – Systematising the Phenomenon of “Online Games”

Important components of the video and computer game landscape are “Online Games”, a portmanteau term very generally including all digital games that can be played on or via the Internet. Over the last few years, this sector has experienced an impressive growth in user numbers and revenues, but also an increasing public discussion, for instance, in respect of subsidy for business and production location, demands from media pedagogy or due to general changes in a mediatised society. In public, academic and political discussions, however, the use of the concept of “online games” is, notably vague.
show more

Project Description

Against this background, the report discusses various aspects of the phenomenon, like genres, products and markets, technology, usage and effects, or the legal framework. It unites various approaches (economic, technical, sociological and jurisprudential) and identifies three overarching criteria (complexity, persistence and player numbers), which are decisive for the form and consequences of online-games.

The expert report thus lays the foundations for decisions within media policy, for instance optimising the areas of application of media-specific legal norms. In addition, it forms an important basis both for further discussions and investigations in various disciplines, like Social Science, Economics and Jurisprudence, and for the public engagement with developments in this area.

Project Information

Overview

Duration: 2007-2008

Third party

Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend

Cooperation Partner

Contact person

PD Dr. Jan-Hinrik Schmidt
Senior Researcher Digital Interactive Media & Political Communication

PD Dr. Jan-Hinrik Schmidt

Leibniz-Institut für Medienforschung | Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI)
Rothenbaumchaussee 36
20148 Hamburg

Tel. +49 (0)40 45 02 17-83
Fax +49 (0)40 45 02 17-77

Send Email

MAYBE YOU ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN THESE TOPICS?

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive the Institute's latest news via email.

SUBSCRIBE!