Adapting the principles of ludology to the method of video game content analysis

Abstract

This article focuses on the methodology of qualitative video game content analysis, aiming to complement the insights provided by Konzack (2002) and Consalvo & Dutton (2006) from a media sociology perspective. A selection was made of 11 contemporary, mature-rated games, and a scheme for analysis was constructed, addressing the different shapes violent activity takes within these games. In a step by step overview of the phases in which the analysis was carried out, the article describes the procedures that were used while constructing a scheme for analysis, while selecting a number of game titles and while training the coders. In the end a brief overview is given of the main results. As such the article provide a blueprint, mapping the difficulties and challenges one encounters while performing a qualitative video game analysis.