ABSTRACT

This chapter outlines the significance of military-themed videogames in social science research. It draws on author research which explored the videogame series Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and discuss how different qualitative and experiential methodologies might be used effectively. The chapter argues for the need to develop a set of methods enabling more detailed understandings of players and their interactions. It examines the methodological challenges faced when examining player consumption and experiences of military-themed videogames. The relationship between the military and videogames has evolved dramatically over the last few decades. Videogames have emerged as a vital medium through which popular cultural militarism is articulated and reinforced. Qualitative methods and an active user perspective offer alternative ways of gaining accounts of players' engagements, and are increasingly used to explore audiences' reception of popular and visual cultures.