ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that video game culture is both a consequence of, and key contributor to, complex contemporary social and cultural transformations. It considers a few key examples of how and why video games are becoming an established and growing cultural phenomenon that is contributing to wider social transformations. The chapter sets out the framework of these processes by proposing a definition of video game culture within the context of the rise of (video)ludic century digital culture. It also considers different cases that help us explore the emergence and consolidation of video game culture. The cases include the gamification of reality, the growing importance of video games among the general public, a thriving video game industry, the links between video games, education, and work, the construction of a video game audience, the growing importance of video games in academia, and the consolidation of video games as a cultural product.
