The Long Now of Gaming

Jon Peterson, The Long Now of Gaming. When we look at computer games today, they often appear native to the digital world, almost a side effect of the invention of computers. But in fact, the principles of simulation underlying computer games have a long legacy in the analog world - we might say that before there were computer games, there were "computed games" based on the same mathematical models. Game historian Jon Peterson looks at the long shadow that analog wargames and role-playing have cast on the games of today, and explores connections that let us contextualize modern gaming in a rich tradition of intellectual history.

Jon Peterson is the author of Playing at the World, a history of wargames and role-playing games. He maintains a blog of the same name and frequently speaks and writers about the history of games.

Interactive media and games increasingly pervade and shape our society. In addition to their dominant roles in entertainment, videogames play growing roles in education, arts, science and health. This seminar series brings together a diverse set of experts to provide interdisciplinary perspectives on these media regarding their history, technologies, scholarly research, industry, artistic value and potential future. As the speakers and title suggest, the series also provides a topical lens for the diverse aspects of our lives.