Call For Papers – The 100 Greatest Video Games (working title)

Robert Mejia (State University of New York, Brockport), Co-Editor
Jaime Banks (West Virginia University), Co-Editor
Aubrie Adams (University of California, Santa Barbara), Co-Editor

The field of game studies has grown substantially since the turn of the century, and yet the field lacks a rigorous reference collection on the cultural significance of video game franchises. Such a reference collection is needed as it can be difficult for even well-versed scholars to keep track of the range and complexity of the many significant franchises that populate the industry.

Hence, we are seeking essays for an edited collection on the cultural and historical significance of 100 video game franchises. The collection, titled “The 100 Greatest Video Games,” will be published by Rowman & Littlefield in early 2017. This collection will serve as a companion volume to the edited collection, titled “The 100 Greatest Video Game Characters.”

Academics, game industry personnel, gaming journalists, and others are invited to submit proposals addressing the historical and cultural significance of a specific video game franchise. Suggested franchises include (but are not limited to):

Age of Empires
America’s Army
Angry Birds
Assassins Creed
Batman
Call of Duty
Civilization
Dance Dance Revolution
Dark Souls
Donkey Kong
Doom
Ecco the Dolphin
Fallout
Farmville
Final Fantasy
Grand Theft Auto
Halo
Just Dance
Kingdom Hearts
King’s Quest
Leisure Suit Larry
Madden
Mario
Mass Effect
Medal of Honor
Mega Man
Metal Gear
Minecraft
Mortal Kombat
Myst
Pac-Man
Pokémon
Pong
Portal
Skylanders
Sonic the Hedgehog
Spacewar!
Tetris
The Legend of Zelda
The Oregon Trail
The Sims
Tomb Raider
Tony Hawk Pro Skater
Warcraft
Wii Sports
Wolfenstein
Xenosaga
Zork

We welcome (1) proposals focusing on franchises listed above or (2) proposals suggesting franchises not listed above. The hope is that this collection will serve as a rigorous reference guide to the historical and cultural significance of 100 of the most important video game franchises. Likewise, considering that the field of game studies consists of academics, industry professionals, and journalists, we encourage contributors to submit with an eye toward academic and non-academic audiences alike.

Please submit the following: (1) an abstract (250 word max) addressing the rationale for inclusion of your selected or proposed franchise in terms of the franchise’s cultural and historical significance; (2) a short bio (250 word max); and (3) a 1-page CV or 1-page publication list emphasizing expertise in game studies to 100rlgames@gmail.com by November 1st, 2015. Authors will be notified by December 1st, 2015 if their proposals have been accepted. Full essays should be within the range of 800 – 1000 words, submitted as a Word or Rich Text Format. Full essays will be due by January 15th, 2016. Multiple submissions are acceptable. For more information please contact the co-editors at 100rlgames@gmail.com.