ABSTRACT
This chapter studies games as material source. It underlines the importance of the materiality of games in historical studies. Its main aim is to invite theoretical and methodological awareness related to the study of this materiality. It is based on theories from the fields of material history and material culture history. After discussing the material side of games, the author focuses on the implementation in game history of a tripartite method of material history, namely Giorgio Reillo's method on History from things, History of things and History and things. Finally, he proposes a method of nine focal points that might support the material study of any given game set or game piece(s). These points, or steps, are the identification of the piece we study, the identification of its provenance, the analysis of its decoration, the consideration of the elements of visual and textual communication included in it, the study of its function and use(s), the discussion of any gameplay-related design on it, the examination of its known material history and its study as a commodity.
