Game Studies, Master of Social Sciences

Game Studies is a Master of Social Sciences programme at Tampere University. It studies games and play from four perspectives: games, game players, game production, and games in culture. The programme focuses on analysing the meaning and form of games and play, understanding game players and game cultures, addressing the creation and development of games, and examining the societal and cultural framing of games.

The programme gives academic skills for analysing, observing and understanding developments in game studies. It also encourages a hands-on approach to games and playful design. Tampere University says the programme is founded on the university’s Game Research Lab and its work in game culture studies.

Graduates typically combine the programme with previous studies and proficiencies to work in research, the public sector, and industry. The programme also provides a background for doctoral studies in game studies and related fields.

• researchers
• industry professionals
• critics
• specialists