Critical Games Studies

Blog Introduction

A bit about me:

I have just started studying Computer Games Design at UCS Ipswich and this blog will be updated and maintained as I progress through the course.

• Name the title of a book of fiction that you have, or are currently reading?
• I'm currently on the fourth book of a Game of Thrones. Reading was't my ideal way of relaxing or passing time but since receiving the first 5 books as a gift, I took to it rather quickly. It was then put on hold as soon as the TV series came out and I've more or less used that to gain an understanding as opposed to reading it in the books.

• Name the title or topic of a book of non-fiction that you have or are currently reading?
• I struggle to remember the last book of non-fiction that I have read. The current books in my collection are all to do with fictional TV shows or related to games, such as the Assassin's Creed series. 

• Which is the last live performance, music, drama or dance, you attended?
• I remember going to a 3 day beer festival with a few friends from work. Despite working long hours, and also needing to be at work the next day, we went on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights after work. It was a very memorable experience

• Name the title of the last film you saw? Cinema, online, DVD/Blu-ray etc.
• Ender's Game was the last movie I saw. I had been meaning to purchase it when I was next out shopping and I did! Not many people appreciated the movie seeing as it was adapted from a book but it wasn't one I had previously read so I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. 

• How often do you read a newspaper? (Which one? Online or physical?)
• I spend a short amount of time switching between the Daily Mail and BBC News. It's either to kill a bit of time or read up on something I've heard from other sources such as friends and family. I don't think I've ever bought a physical copy before and so I only check them online.

• Which Art Gallery / Museum / Exhibition did you last visit?

• On numerous occasions I've been to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford. They had air shows from World War 2 and every exhibition was open to the public for the entire day. I plan ahead to make sure that I am able to visit the museum as I enjoy seeing those kinds of planes fly.

How many hours a week do you spend playing video games?


• Maybe 7 to 24 hours (Soon to be shortened by uni work). If it's a game I've been waiting for since the day of announcement, everything is put on hold just so that I can play this game. The longest I've ever spent gaming in a day amounted to 18 hours. Why? Well, why not. If you have a hobby you enjoy, then you should enjoy it. 


• How many hours a week do you spend playing games other than video games?
• It's considerably lower than if I were playing video games. On the odd occasion I have played Dominoes with my family at home. It may even stretch to a game of Scrabble.