This presentation will revisit Parten’s social play theories from the perspective of Minecraft play.The video game Minecraft has become very popular with over 23 million copies sold since its release in 2011. Minecraft belongs to the genre of digital games that are classified as ‘sandbox’ games because of its similarity to children’s traditional sandbox play, including its practically unlimited play possibilities. This research examines the social interactions of children as they play Minecraft as well as their perspectives on the gaming experience through focus group conversations. Through the lens of Parten’s categories of social play (onlooker, solitary, parallel, associative, cooperative), it may be discovered that the ‘digital sandbox’ is more social than it first appears. It is possible that players and even ‘onlookers’ are experiencing community and social interaction through their play and that children are playing video games not because they lack the social ability to interact with others, but because ‘gaming’ is a social activity – albeit on a digital platform — providing an outlet for community and creativity. This research will further explore the concept of ‘onlooker play’ as seen through the ‘maker culture’ of YouTube creations and Minecraft. Players of all ages are flocking to YouTube to watch Minecraft tutorial videos and ‘Let’s Play’ videos. The creators of these videos receive and respond to comments and often encourage viewers to respond by asking questions within their videos. This online community of viewers and creators are adding to the social experience of Minecraft. This presentation will be of interest to conference participants who are interested in children’s digital play and gaming culture.
About the presentersKatherine Marie Pauls
Katherine Pauls is a MA student in the Department of Education at Concordia University. She is currently working on a thesis involving the investigation of classic play theories and Minecraft. She has 13 years experience working with children as a director of a daycare centre, a preschool teacher and a children’s minister.
Sandra Chang-Kredl
Dr. Sandra Chang-Kredl (Ph.D., McGill) is an assistant professor at Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, in the Department of Education, where she teaches and conducts research in children’s popular and media culture, early childhood education, teacher identity, curriculum studies, and children’s play. She has recently published in Curriculum Inquiry, Reflective Practice, Gender and Education, Early Years, Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies, and Children’s Literature in Education.