Platform Studies' Epistemic Threshold. Issue 4 (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Apperley, Thomas; Parikka, Jussi
• Is Part Of: Games and culture. Volume 13:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 349
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: platform studies -- media archaeology -- game studies -- archive -- Zielinski -- critical practice; Games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Video games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Computer games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Interactive multimedia -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 303.4834
• DOI: 10.1177/1555412015616509
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1555-4120

Abstract

In recent methodological scholarship on digital games, a strong connection is noted between "platform studies" and media archaeology. While platform studies has its critics, who primarily lament the limitations of the project, a recent spate of publications in the field suggests considerable dynamism in platform studies as the concept is further developed. This article argues that by examining platform studies from the perspective of media archaeology, it becomes apparent that platform studies establishes an "epistemic threshold". Additionally, platform studies is a historical method which both establish continuities and mark breaks with previous platforms and technologies. From the perspective of this threshold, this article explores epistemic questions that arise from how platform studies forms an archive, and how media archaeology can enrich the method's explicit concerns and engagements with technology and culture.