Readings A – addiction and games:
Chasing the Whale: Examining the ethics of free-to-play games by Mike Rose (2013)
Inside the rehab clinics treating gaming addiction disorder by Phil Iwaniuk (2019)
Make Sports Betting Taboo Again by Clark Randall (2024)
Readings B – loot boxes:
Loot Boxes Are Designed To Exploit Us by Heather Alexandra (2017)
Using Psychology and Loot Boxes to Destroy Video Games: A Fun and Practical Guide by Jamie Madigan (2018)
For Many Players, Lootboxes Are a Crisis That’s Already Here by Ellen McGrody (2018)
– Each group reads the assigned 3 readings at home. Take notes even if they are articles.
– In class: you are paired with students from the other group and you will explain the content of the other articles trying to compare and contrast these related issues.
– In class: create a map of all the issues and debates as they are mentioned and discussed:
issues, challenges, solutions, open questions.
– In class: research articles that have a more skeptical and pro-liberalization point of view.
Readings C
Mapping the Machine Zone from Addiction by Design by Natasha Dow Schüll (2012)
Post your reading notes on Canvas.
Lootbox grading
This is a very good read but it’s optional.
You can use it to compensate for a previous missing, unverified, or unsatisfactory reading assignment.
Everybody who submits credible reading notes on canvas, will get either an A or a B with a 50% random chance.
The grade will replace your lowest grade currently on the grade book (among the ones that pertain to readings).