Behind the Scenes of the Video Game Industry

Storytelling, Power Dynamics, and Myth
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-90-485-7320-2
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 142 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 380 g

Reihe: Games and Play

Behind the Scenes of the Video Game Industry explores the stories behind video game production. It investigates how behind-the-scenes narratives and making-of materials are shaped by power dynamics within the video game industry, and how they often reinforce the existing professional hierarchies by shining the spotlight on those who are already at the top. Which roles, however, are undervalued? How are crunch and other problematic work practices normalized and obscured to both the industry practitioners and the public?

This book builds on concepts of paratextuality and the growing field of production studies to offer a critical framework for the analysis of industrial storytelling and reflexivity, supported by empirical case studies on art books, game awards, and promotional materials. Readers will gain insights into how these narratives influence the video game industry’s status quo, making it an essential resource for understanding the hidden forces shaping game production.

This book is relevant to students and scholars interested in video games, media, film, or more broadly cultural industries. It can also be helpful for video game developers and aspiring game makers by showing the impact of behind-the-scenes materials on the current status quo of the video game industry.

Zielgruppe

Academic

Autoren/Hrsg.

Švelch, Jan

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Medienwissenschaften
• Sozialwissenschaften Sport | Tourismus | Freizeit Hobbies & Spiele
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Mediensoziologie
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Wirtschaftssektoren & Branchen Medien-, Informations und Kommunikationswirtschaft
• Mathematik | Informatik EDV | Informatik Digital Lifestyle Computerspiele, Internetspiele

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Table of Contents

Introduction

The State of Video Game Industries

Theoretical Framework and Methodology

Structure of the Book

Acknowledgments

Bibliography

Part A: Frameworks and Foundations

1. Theory of Industrial Storytelling

A Quick Note on Authorship Theory

Paratextuality

Industrial Reflexivity, Para-Industry, and the Shadow Academy

Audiences, Production Trivia, and Production Literacy

Bibliography

2. Production Realities and Reflections

Game Development Roles and Team Composition

Claiming Individual Authorship

Authorship Terminologies and Cinematic Remediation

Conclusions and Alternatives

Bibliography

3. The Many Voices of Industrial Storytelling

The Figurative Line and its Relevance for the Video Game Industry

Corporate Reflexivity

Above-the-Line Reflexivity

Below-the-Line Reflexivity

Competing Agendas in Industrial Reflexivity

Bibliography

Part B: Practices

4. Making-of Materials: Promotion and Commodification

Promotion: Stray Gods’ Making-of as Promotable Facts

Commodification: Art Books

Conclusions: Selling a Story

Bibliography

5. The Game of the Year

Cultural Awards as Industrial Reflexivity

Game Awards and Prizes

The Game Awards: Analysis

The Game Awards as a Venue for Industrial Reflexivity

Bibliography

Conclusion: Dispelling Myths of Industrial Storytelling

Harmful versus Helpful

Obfuscation versus Transparency

Production “Magic”

People versus Brands

Idealization and Vilification of Video Game Companies

Passion Discourse

How to Change the Unsustainable Status Quo

Bibliography

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Jan Švelch is a researcher at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Czechia. His research interests include game production studies, video game voice acting, industrial reflexivity, paratextuality, and analog games. He co-edited Game Production Studies (2021, with Olli Sotamaa).