A Gap in Games Research: Reflecting on Two Camps and a Bridge

Abstract

This paper discusses the divided nature of games research, and how most of the research effort can be placed in camps located on each side of a sliding, one-dimensional scale. A middle ground is slowly being bridged between these two camps, which is filling in the gaps between these two community. The paper presents a definition of this bridging research, and how we as a field can make our research more impactful by continuing this bridging of the space between the two camps. It also represents a call to action for more scientists to perform inter- and transdisciplinary research in order to further increase the impact of games research.