the screen and ean to lift e. You turn away from ore real or not than u say? Then neither is th counts, but to[Note:GAMER the finalthis THEORY textpage is/ McKenzie proof.]complete Wark except / Version for some 2.0 corrections and additions made The unreality of games gives notice that reality is notUnconsciously yet real. they rehearse the right life. -- Theodor Adorno There is an absolute in the moment of the game; and this absolute, like every reality or moment taken to the absolute,specific formrepresents of alienation. a -- Henri Lefebvre For Felix (and his playmates) Lude Feliciter designer, to redeploy GAMER THEORY / McKenzieAcknowledgements4 Wark / Version 2.01 Agony (on The Cave)5Allegory (on The Sims)21America (on Civilization III)37 Analog (on Katamari Damacy)53Atopia (on Vice City)70Battle (on Rez)85 Boredom (on State ofComplex Emergency)100 (on Deus Ex)116Conclusions (on SimEarth)132 ht not require the ability to play any Cuts (list of samples)148 Acknowledgements Firstly, I must thanknetworked all of the participants bookfor which comments in presentedGAM3R and 7H30RY, discussion. version a 1.1 For of this version text as2.0, a Ipretext made many changes to historical the text on the basistheoryheads, of the comments mediadigital hackers offered age. Anand there edited other by gamers, selectionorganic intellectualsof the comments of the pertaining directly to the text are included among theSecondly, notes at I wouldthe end. also like to thank The Institute for the Future of the Book for hostingstimulating GAM3R discussions. 7H30RYwithout version Bob It would Stein, 1.1, notand Ben have for Vershbow, many been half Ray as Cha, much Dan fun Visel and Jesse Wilbur. n the ruins of a Thirdly, I wouldComputer like to thank games mybegin studentsare the a key process atpart Eugene of theas Langlaborious shared College. culture as it is from playful which of one creating can a reflective and havecritical been approach activebook. toparticipants the times. inMy the students shaping at ofLang the ideas in this Any remainingmy acts own of account.folly in this book are to be charged directly to Agony (on The Cave) Fig. 1 001.Ever getwhich the youfeeling dont you know are playing the goal, some and vast cant and remember useless game the rules?to Ever get the fierce desiretheres to quit,no capitulation?umpire, to resign, no toreferee, Everforfeit, get no only theregulator, tovague discover dreadto whom that to while announce you have your no choice but to play whothe game, keeps youopponentit? 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