Paul Brown
Education
- BA (Hons) Humanities, De Montfort University (1993)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (English), Sunderland University (1995)
- MA Computer Game Studies (Distinction), Northumbria University (2005)
Teaching
I have spent many years as a secondary school teacher. In February 2008 I also taught one undergraduate class (Approaching Audiences) at the university. This was part of the Media Research Methods module.
Research Interests
I am interested in why people play computer games, and in particular their reasons for playing the type which fall into the category of 'Role Playing'. Using Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human needs as an initial starting point, I have continued to explore this and other theories of social psychology in an attempt to understand player motivation. In addition to this, I have explored the theories and debates within the relatively new discipline of computer game studies. The past year has been spent conducting and transcribing interviews with computer gamers. I’m now in the process of analysing and exploring the data.
Working Title of Thesis
The Social Psychology of Computer Gaming.
Conferences
January, 2004, "Shenmue: Narrative, Freedom and Gameplay" presented at the State of Play conference, Northumbria University.
Forthcoming: "The Legend of Zelda and its Players" to be presented at Play Things, November 4th 2009, School of Arts, Histories & Cultures, University of Manchester.
Publications
(2008) "Hyrule's Green and Pleasant Land: the Minish Cap as Utopian Ideal" in The Legend of Zelda and Philosophy. Open Court Publishing.
Forthcoming: (November, 2009), “The Rotation of Orcs: Boredom, Power and Self Actualization in Azeroth” in World of Warcraft and Philosophy. Open Court Publishing.