Roger Caillois and e-Sports: On the Problems of Treating Play as Work

Brock, TGJ (2017) Roger Caillois and e-Sports: On the Problems of Treating Play as Work. Games and Culture, 12 (4). pp. 321-339. ISSN 1555-4120

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Abstract

In Man, Play and Games, Roger Caillois warns against the “rationalization” of play by working life and argues that the professionalization of competitive games (agôn) will have a negative impact on people and society. In this article, I elaborate on Caillois’ argument by suggesting that the professional context of electronic sports (e-Sports) rationalizes play by turning player psychology toward the pursuit of extrinsic rewards. This is evidenced in the instrumental decision-making that accompanies competitive gameplay as well as the “survival” strategies that e-Sports players deploy to endure its precarious working environment(s). In both cases, play is treated as work and has problematic psychological and sociological implications as a result.

Item Type:	Article
Peer-reviewed:	Yes
Date Deposited:	08 Feb 2017 08:56
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Additional Information:	This is an Author Accepted Manuscript of a paper accepted for publication in Games and Culture, published by and copyright SAGE Publications.
Divisions:	Faculties > Arts and Humanities
Subject terms:	Play, Work, Electronic Sports, e-Sports, Roger Caillois, Match-Fixing, Margaret Archer, 1902 Film, Television And Digital Media, 2001 Communication And Media Studies, Communication & Media Studies
URI:	https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/617954
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1177/1555412016686878
ISSN	1555-4120

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