This collection of all-new essays approaches the topic of immersion as a product of social and media relations. Examining the premises and aesthetics of live-action and tabletop role-playing games, reality television, social media apps and first-person shooters, the essays take both game rules and the media discourse that games produce as serious objects of study. Scholars of social psychology, sociology, role-playing theory, game studies, and television studies all examine games and game-like environments like reality shows as interdependent sites of social friction and power negotiation. The ten essays articulate the importance of game rules in analyses of media products, and demonstrate methods that allow game rules to be seen in action during the process of play.

This book explores the burgeoning realm of the Metaverse, where virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI) converge. Its primary purpose is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the Metaverse's potential, challenges, and ethical considerations. The Metaverse is a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and this book is needed to serve as a guide through its complexities. It employs a multidisciplinary approach, drawing insights from technology, ethics, sociology, and economics. Methodologically, it combines in-depth research, case studies, and expert perspectives to provide a holistic view of the subject. Key findings include the transformative power of the Metaverse in diverse fields, such as education, healthcare, and commerce, but also the need for responsible development to address privacy, security, and inclusivity concerns. In short, the book provides practical insights for industry professionals seeking to navigate this new digital frontier, ensuring the Metaverse benefits society while minimizing its risks.

Now in its second edition, the Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming is the definitive, go-to resource for anyone interested in the diverse and expanding video game industry. This three-volume encyclopedia covers all things video games, including the games themselves, the companies that make them, and the people who play them. Written by scholars who are exceptionally knowledgeable in the field of video game studies, it notes genres, institutions, important concepts, theoretical concerns, and more and is the most comprehensive encyclopedia of video games of its kind, covering video games throughout all periods of their existence and geographically around the world. This is the second edition of Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming, originally published in 2012. All of the entries have been revised to accommodate changes in the industry, and an additional volume has been added to address the recent developments, advances, and changes that have occurred in this ever-evolving field. This set is a vital resource for scholars and video game aficionados alike.

A comprehensive and innovative guide to teaching, learning and assessment in forensic science education and practitioner training Includes student exercises for mock crime scene and disaster scenarios Addresses innovative teaching methods including apps and e-gaming Discusses existing and proposed teaching methods

Game designers, authors, artists, and scholars discuss how roles are played and how stories are created in role-playing games, board games, computer games, interactive fictions, massively multiplayer games, improvisational theater, and other "playable media." Games and other playable forms, from interactive fictions to improvisational theater, involve role playing and story—something played and something told. In Second Person, game designers, authors, artists, and scholars examine the different ways in which these two elements work together in tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), computer games, board games, card games, electronic literature, political simulations, locative media, massively multiplayer games, and other forms that invite and structure play. Second Person—so called because in these games and playable media it is "you" who plays the roles, "you" for whom the story is being told—first considers tabletop games ranging from Dungeons & Dragons and other RPGs with an explicit social component to Kim Newman's Choose Your Own Adventure-style novel Life's Lottery and its more traditional author-reader interaction. Contributors then examine computer-based playable structures that are designed for solo interaction—for the singular "you"—including the mainstream hit Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and the genre-defining independent production Façade. Finally, contributors look at the intersection of the social spaces of play and the real world, considering, among other topics, the virtual communities of such Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as World of Warcraft and the political uses of digital gaming and role-playing techniques (as in The Howard Dean for Iowa Game, the first U.S. presidential campaign game). In engaging essays that range in tone from the informal to the technical, these writers offer a variety of approaches for the examination of an emerging field that includes works as diverse as George R.R. Martin's Wild Cards series and the classic Infocom game Planetfall. Appendixes contain three fully-playable tabletop RPGs that demonstrate some of the variations possible in the form.

Discover what the metaverse can do for your business by exploring AR and VR, core support technologies, and use cases, while developing an understanding of its benefits, dangers, and future Key Features Understand the metaverse and learn how augmented reality and virtual reality are integral to it Get a solid understanding of core metaverse technologies Become a metaverse business thought leader by learning from real-world use cases Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook Book Description“The metaverse” has become a widely known term within a very short time span. The Immersive Metaverse Playbook for Business Leaders explicitly explains what it really refers to and shows you how to plot your business road map using the metaverse. This book helps you understand the concept of the metaverse, along with the implementation of generative AI in it. You'll not only get to grips with the underlying concepts, but also take a closer look at key technologies that power the metaverse, enabling you to plan your business road map. The chapters include use cases on social interaction, work, entertainment, art, and shopping to help you make better decisions when it comes to metaverse product and service development. You’ll also explore the overall societal benefits and dangers related to issues such as privacy encroachment, technology addiction, and sluggishness. The concluding chapters discuss the future of AR and VR roles in the metaverse and the metaverse as a whole to enable you to make long-term business plans. By the end of this book, you'll be able to successfully invest, build, and market metaverse products and services that set you apart as a progressive technology leader.What you will learn Get to grips with the concept of the metaverse, its origin, and its present state Understand how AR and VR strategically fit into the metaverse Delve into core technologies that power the metaverse Dig into use cases that enable finer strategic decision-making Understand the benefits and possible dangers of the metaverse Plan further ahead by understanding the future of the metaverse Who this book is for If you are a C-suite technology and business executive, this book is for you. Investors, entrepreneurs, and other tech professionals will also find it beneficial. This book does not require any previous understanding of the metaverse or immersive technologies.

Pay Day 3: Everything You Need to Know is the ultimate guide to the highly anticipated game. Delve into the thrilling world of Pay Day 3 with in-depth information about gameplay, improvements, missions, and more! Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the series, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the details you need to know to navigate the game like a pro. Get ready to immerse yourself in the action-packed heists and uncover all the secrets Pay Day 3 has to offer.