Game Studies Study Buddies 17 – Hans – The Play of the World
Nov 30, 2019
Dive into the lesser-known philosophy of play through James S. Hans’ intriguing text from 1981. The discussion explores the impact of Deleuze and Guattari's works on capitalism and desire, revealing how play transcends traditional notions of work. Delve into the connections between video games and climate narratives, challenging how we perceive environmental issues. The hosts also critique the commodification of play in a capitalist society, advocating for a reexamination of values and the importance of collaboration within gaming communities.
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Play Precedes Games Fundamentally
- James Hans critiques focusing on games to understand play and says play itself precedes games and is more fundamental.
- He argues play constantly develops its own structures through interaction, not by stable rules or boundaries.
Play as a Reality-Forming Activity
- Hans argues play is a fundamental activity shaping reality equally for humans and nonhumans.
- Play produces structures and is the substrate of reality, not limited to innate drives or just animals.
Hans Critiques Derrida's Free Play
- Hans critiques Derrida's notion of free play, saying Derrida does not fully escape structural repetition.
- He claims Derrida's method is repetitive and conceals underlying structures despite claiming to reveal free play.
