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9781138256903

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"’A World of Excesses is a fascinating, and important, contribution to the ongoing work of understanding digital play. By looking at the nature of excessive use, but with a sharp eye on context and structure in MMO's, Dr. Karlsen provides a nuanced analysis of what is typically chalked up to ""addiction."" This book offers an important intervention against overly simplistic theories about intensive gaming.’ T.L. Taylor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA ’Faltin Karlsen steps into contested territory as he tackles the discussions concerning the supposedly addictive quality of digital games. A World of Excesses is perhaps the most level-headed and clear discussion to date of excessive gaming. It gives the reader a very good handle on this difficult topic, and is a valuable contribution to the debate.’ Torill Mortensen, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark '... Karlsen’s analysis adds significantly to the gaming studies field and the discussion of gaming addiction by providing contextualised information about gaming excesses. It sheds a critical light on the medicalisation of gaming problems and diagnostic issues, without disregarding the fact that for some players, excessive gaming is detrimental. This is a book for technosceptics and game aficionados alike - and it made me want to start playing World of Warcraft again.' Times Higher Education ""Faltin Karlsen has written a book that challenges popular understandings of the practice of playing, and he offers strong, alternative viewpoints, written in an easily accessible style. The book is rich on references, and has a strong, well-developed literature list. And while it does point out that a lot of the fear of gaming is a result of prejudice and lack of familiarity with the topic, Karlsen does not fall into the trap of rejecting the idea that games can lead to problems. There is still reason to be aware of the excesses.""— Torill Mortensen, IT University of Copenhagen, Cultural Sociology"

'A World of Excesses is a fascinating, and important, contribution to the ongoing work of understanding digital play. By looking at the nature of excessive use, but with a sharp eye on context and structure in MMO's, Dr. Karlsen provides a nuanced analysis of what is typically chalked up to addiction. This book offers an important intervention against overly simplistic theories about intensive gaming.' T.L. Taylor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA 'Faltin Karlsen steps into contested territory as he tackles the discussions concerning the supposedly addictive quality of digital games. A World of Excesses is perhaps the most level-headed and clear discussion to date of excessive gaming. It gives the reader a very good handle on this difficult topic, and is a valuable contribution to the debate.' Torill Mortensen, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark '... Karlsen's analysis adds significantly to the gaming studies field and the discussion of gaming addiction by providing contextualised information about gaming excesses. It sheds a critical light on the medicalisation of gaming problems and diagnostic issues, without disregarding the fact that for some players, excessive gaming is detrimental. This is a book for technosceptics and game aficionados alike - and it made me want to start playing World of Warcraft again.' Times Higher Education Faltin Karlsen has written a book that challenges popular understandings of the practice of playing, and he offers strong, alternative viewpoints, written in an easily accessible style. The book is rich on references, and has a strong, well-developed literature list. And while it does point out that a lot of the fear of gaming is a result of prejudice and lack of familiarity with the topic, Karlsen does not fall into the trap of rejecting the idea that games can lead to problems. There is still reason to be aware of the excesses. - Torill Mortensen, IT University of Copenhagen, Cultural Sociology

Faltin Karlsen has written a book that challenges popular understandings of the practice of playing, and he offers strong, alternative viewpoints, written in an easily accessible style. The book is rich on references, and has a strong, well-developed literature list. And while it does point out that a lot of the fear of gaming is a result of prejudice and lack of familiarity with the topic, Karlsen does not fall into the trap of rejecting the idea that games can lead to problems. There is still reason to be aware of the excesses. - Torill Mortensen, IT University of Copenhagen, Cultural Sociology

<strong> Faltin Karlsen has written a book that challenges popular understandings of the practice of playing, and he offers strong, alternative viewpoints, written in an easily accessible style. The book is rich on references, and has a strong, well-developed literature list. And while it does point out that a lot of the fear of gaming is a result of prejudice and lack of familiarity with the topic, Karlsen does not fall into the trap of rejecting the idea that games can lead to problems. There is still reason to be aware of the excesses. </strong> <em>Torill Mortensen, IT University of Copenhagen, Cultural Sociology</p></em>

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Faltin Karlsen is Professor of Media Studies at The Norwegian School of Information Technology, Norway.

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