Exploring Historical and Contemporary Games in Chinese and Sinophone Cultures: A Comprehensive Analysis

Exploring Games and Play in Chinese and Sinophone Cultures:

In recent scholarly advancements, game studies have expanded their scope worldwide, yet there is limited research specifically addressing the historical development of games and gaming practices within China. This volume address this gap by examining games across diverse cultural contexts, from ancient times to contemporary scenarios. Games are analyzed through various lenses - ger dynamics, social class boundaries, material culture, and national representation - while also considering how they reflect or challenge societal norms, economic systems, and political structures.

This book encompasses a comprehensive array of topics that illustrate the rich tapestry of games in Chinese and Sinophone societies. It delves into the history of ancient gameboards like Weiqi also known as Go, exploring its origins and evolution over millennia. The volume also scrutinizes traditional card games, dice rolling activities, board-based contests, sports-related gameplay, and theatrical performances. It further discusses how China is rapidly emerging as a significant force in contemporary digital gaming.

The contributors provide deep insights into various themes such as rock engravings depicting board games, the cultures surrounding Weiqi, scholarly and courtesan's games, gambling practices, literary-based game developments, political aspects of video games, and the creative appropriation of Chinese cultural elements within international video game landscapes.

In this collaborative effort, scholars from diverse disciplines offer comprehensive examinations that connect traditional gameplay with modern contexts, local intricacies with broader economic, cultural, and political forces.

Key Features:

1. Historical Contexts: Analyzes board games like Weiqi, exploring their origins and how they have evolved over time.

2. Ger Dynamics: Explores representations of ger roles through the lens of play practices in Chinese societies.

3. Class Analysis: Investigates social class dynamics influenced by gaming cultures and practices within China.

4. Material Culture: Discusses tangible aspects of game materials, their significance, and their impact on gameplay experiences.

5. Imaginaries of the Nation: Examines how games reflect national identity and societal narratives.

6. Economic Structures: Reviews how local and regional economies are influenced by gaming industries within China.

Open Access:

This publication was made possible through a generous grant from the James P. Geiss and Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation, enabling wider dissemination of scholarly insights on Chinese and Sinophone games and play cultures.

Editorial Team:

The book is edited by Li Guo, Douglas Eyman, and Hongmei Sun, who have assembled an interdisciplinary team of contributors to provide a comprehensive overview of this fascinating subject area.

Key Contributors:

Contributions from leading experts across various fields bring diverse perspectives to the volume, enriching its academic value and providing insights into the multifaceted nature of games in Chinese and Sinophone cultures.

Contact Information:

University of Washington Press offers resources for authors interested in publishing with them, as well as support for media requests, ordering inquiries, rights permissions assistance, and contact information for their team.

Please visit our website at University of Washington Presshttps:uwpress.washington.edu to explore more about upcoming publications, events, news updates from the press, and opportunities for authors and researchers interested in Chinese studies or related fields.
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