Negotiating Play: The Process of Rule Construction inProfessional Computer Gaming

T.L. Taylor IT University of Copenhagen Center for Computer Games Research Denmark [email protected] ABSTRACT When discussing how computer games work one often encounters the argument that a primary function computation plays in the space is “handling” rules. In this model of computer game play the device, be it personal computer or console, acts as central (and often final) arbiter of rules, upholding the contract of the game with its players and seamlessly and equitably enforcing a fixed set of rules. While other “layers” of rules are sometimes introduced to nuance this model, there often remains a core sense that the computer is centrally relied upon for the lion’s share of rule-governance.