International Journal of Games and Social Impact

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http://hdl.handle.net/10437/13349

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Percorrer International Journal of Games and Social Impact por autor "Antunes, Paulo"

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    Huizinga and "everything is play" : a thinly veiled formalist temptation : a critique
    (Lusofona University, 2025-02-27) Antunes, Paulo; HEI-LAB (FCT) - Digital Laboratories for Environments and Human Interactions
    This article critically examines the concept of formalism in game studies, with a particular focus on Johan Huizinga's notion of "play" and its relationship with "game." It argues that while Huizinga's concept has been influential in shaping the understanding of "play," it tends to prioritize formalistic and metaphysical interpretations over broader socio-cultural contexts. By conflating "play" and "game," Huizinga's framework overlooks important tensions between notions of freedom, historicity, and formalism within game studies. The article suggests that a more nuanced understanding of "play" is needed, one that integrates considerations of rules, themes, and contexts, moving beyond metaphysical categorizations. Through this critical analysis, the article aims to contribute to ongoing discussions in game studies and encourage further exploration of the multifaceted nature of games in contemporary society. Keywords: "Formalism;" "Freedom;" "Game;" "Historicity;" "Metaphysics."
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    Public interest and the potential social impact of board games : the role of the strategic twist, definition and scope
    (Lusofona University, 2023) Antunes, Paulo; HEI-LAB - Human Environment Interaction Lab
    Modern board games – precisely after what has been dubbed the “renaissance” of analog games since the publication of Catan and the consequent affirmation of the “German games” – have served for a vast reflection in the field of metagame. In this text it is considered that the effects following what is called “strategic twist” in modern board games, allow reflecting about the dynamics of the field of leisure/ludicity from two aspects: the orientation of games towards strategy; and the strategic character of the transition of/in the milieu. One must understand how the “twist” can be thought about and what can be thought about the political-philosophical reflections that address the “public interest”, and how these two fields can be broadly intertwined. With this theoretical-societal connection, the aim here is to move on from the role that the “strategic twist” plays in calling the “public interest” attention for the practice of this type of activity (the impact of a new dissemination of games), to the “public interest”, that may have reciprocally provided it; and to how something like this “interest” can be treated in the games themselves. Finally, also how some light can be shed on it by the combination and choice of some game mechanics. The intersection of these two domains also prepares us to talk about serious issues in the future.