IT and the video game industry: tensions and mutual shaping

Authors: Allen, Jonathan P¹; Kim, Jeffrey²

Source: Journal of Information Technology, Volume 20, Number 4, December 2005 , pp. 234-244(11)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $43.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This paper examines the influence of information technology (IT) on a distinct but closely related industry, the video game industry. We conceptualize the effects of IT as a process of translating three related dimensions of a technological frame – technology performance, industry practices, and use vision – from one industry to another. Through historical examples, we argue that the impact of IT on the video game industry is shaped and limited by this translation process, particularly when tensions between the two industries lead to the development of new complementary or replacement technologies, practices, or visions. Although heavily dependent on IT, the video game industry has had to ignore, postpone, or substantially modify important IT software tools, processors, storage media, graphics, and networking technologies because of these industry contradictions.Journal of Information Technology (2005) 20, 234–244. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jit.2000048

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jit.2000048

Affiliations: 1: 1Masagung Graduate School of Management, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 2: 2Information School, University of Washington, Seattle,WA, USA

Publication date: 2005-12-01