Monetization and Skyrim, appropriation and play

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorCruikshank, Lauren
dc.contributor.authorMundee, Jeffrey
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-01T16:51:44Z
dc.date.available2023-03-01T16:51:44Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.date.updated2023-03-01T15:03:30Z
dc.description.abstractMods, or user modifications created by fans in games such as Skyrim, are particularly salient illustrations of the hybridity of authorship being discussed in contemporary media studies (Merrin; Jenkins, Fans; Bruns, Blogs). In 2015, Bethesda Softworks and Valve Corporation collaborated on a new monetization model for Skyrim mods. However, it was subsequently shut down four days later due to backlash it prompted from the target community of content creators for Skyrim (McWhertor). This thesis explores expressions of modders around the controversial monetization of Skyrim mods on the Steam Workshop. Using content and discourse analysis I critically examine the “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) thread created by the CEO of Valve Gabe Newell on Reddit.com, April 25, 2015. Using three theories around the lens of modding as play I examined the discourse in this text and found expression of the importance of the assemblage of play (Taylor) in an assemblage of modding, elements of differentiation between professional and leisure production values as playbour (Kücklich), and ways of understanding how to support value generation and monetize participatory production in better ways through produsage (Bruns, ”Produsage”).
dc.description.copyright©Jeffrey Mundee, 2020
dc.description.noteDegree listed on title page is Interdisciplinary Master when it should be Master of Interdisciplinary Studies
dc.formattext/xml
dc.format.extentvi, 116 pages
dc.format.mediumelectronic
dc.identifier.oclc(OCoLC)1408729759en
dc.identifier.otherThesis 10581en
dc.identifier.urihttps://unbscholar.lib.unb.ca/handle/1882/14583
dc.language.isoen_CA
dc.publisherUniversity of New Brunswick
dc.rightshttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
dc.subject.disciplineInterdisciplinary Studies
dc.subject.lcshBethesda Softworks (Firm)en
dc.subject.lcshVideo games.en
dc.subject.lcshAuthorship.en
dc.subject.lcshHobbies.en
dc.titleMonetization and Skyrim, appropriation and play
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineInterdisciplinary Studies
thesis.degree.fullnameMaster of Interdisciplinary Studies
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of New Brunswick
thesis.degree.levelmasters
thesis.degree.nameM.IDST.

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
item.pdf
Size:
885.51 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections