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Citizens, due to unforeseen circumstances I'm now a panellist short, so do please feel free to spread the word to anyone you think might be interested. Cheers, Ed ------------------------- SCMS 2016 CFP: Games and Promotion Advertisements do not lie to us. They show the mediating role that commodities could play in the relation between individual and expectations. (Jhally 1990; 18) Games are particularly difficult texts to examine using textual analysis. There are some elements that are easily dissected and discussed. For example, the rules form a type of text that we can read as both instructional and algorithmic in its interpretation. The game pieces, as well, can be a form of rhetorical text in that they encourage players to perceive the game in a particular way through their artwork and aesthetics.' (Paul Booth 2015; 12). Given the well-documented complexities in studying games and gaming culture on and off screen, one area of games culture remains largely absent from academic discourse- that of games promotion. In respect of comments by Jhally and Booth; considering advertising and promotion of games allows us to develop our understanding of the ways in which games and their associated media systems are positioned prior to their consumption. Considering few products could ever exist as products without promotion, the lack of discourse in this area is an unfortunate by-product of an emphasis on the product (whatever it may be), rather than the tools used to construct the notion of product. Promotional materials essentially serve a dual role; they inform and educate audiences as to the availability and possibilities of a new product, yet simultaneously hold back key information. In doing so, promotion in its broadest sense alludes to, references, and sometimes reconstructs the notion of the product as the stakeholders in the industry want their products to be seen. Given the tendency within the existing games literature to overlook promotion as an area of study, this call for papers offers contributors the opportunity to jump start the discourse on games promotion and to develop a more balanced study of a global entertainment industry. This panel seeks papers that consider the role/history of games promotion, games as promotion, games connected with promotion and seeks papers to compliment an existing panel outline along these themes; we're flexible to suggestions, so please get in touch as soon as you can. Expressions of interest to be sent to Dr Ed Vollans (edwinvollans [at] gmail [dot] com) -------------------------------------------------------- MeCCSA mailing list -------------------------------------------------------- To manage your subscription or unsubscribe from the MECCSA list, please visit: https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=MECCSA&A=1 ------------------------------------------------------- MeCCSA is the subject association for the field of media, communication and cultural studies in UK Higher Education. This mailing list is a free service and is not restricted to members. It is an unmoderated list and content reflect the views of those who post to the list and not of MeCCSA as an organisation. MeCCSA recommends that the list be used only for posting of information (for example about events, publications, conferences, lectures) of interest to members or to promote discussion of current issues of wide general interest in the field. Posts to the MeCCSA mailing list are public, indexed by Google, and can be accessed from the JISCMail website (http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/meccsa.html). Any messages posted to the list are subject to the JISCMail acceptable use policy, which states that users should avoid “engaging in unreasonable behaviour, or disrupting the general flow of discussion on a list.” For further information, please visit: http://www.meccsa.org.uk/ --------------------------------------------------------