Screen ecologies, multi-gaming and designing for different registers of engagement

Abstract

In this paper, we propose the notion of screen ecologies and argue for its importance in the study of contemporary digital game play. We draw on findings from a range of studies to highlight the interplay between screen ecologies, game design, and registers of engagement. We discuss how game play is increasingly mediated by multiple screen configurations, and in turn, how the design of different games are suited to or appropriated within these different screen ecologies. From this analysis we propose a number of modalities of game-engagement that we argue will assist further HCI research into game design and player experience research.