Write a 1500 word essay critically analysing a video game or game community of your choosing (your choice must be approved by your tutor).

Your analysis must build upon, critique and/or extend the argument of one or more of the unit readings.

Not all unit readings are permissible here, some are better suited to this task than others A list of the permitted unit readings to use for this task will be available on ilearn.

You must also use academic theory from beyond the unit (i e. work not set as readings) to support the argument. In total you must reference at least three academic sources, including at least one from the permitted unit readings and at least one from your own research.

You must identify the key theoretical ideas and assumptions associated with your chosen reading and apply them to your chosen game/community.

Given this is a relatively short piece of writing, you need to focus on analysis rather than description. You should only describe the game/community enough to make your argument make sense for a reader unfamiliar with the it, you do not need to describe every aspect of it. You also don't need to comprehensively analyse the entire game/community, it may be preferable that you focus on a particular section or element of the game/community.

Your analysis should be written in a scholarly form (with references). It needs one central argument underpinning all sections. It needs to be formal in tone and academic (not journalistic) in styte.You must analyse not just describe the chosen game/community.

The essay must use media studies, cultural studies, and/or game studies academic texts, and develop an argument in line with these approaches. If you are unsure what this means please ask your tutor.

You can go a maximum of 10% over the word count without penalty.