Lost in a Good Game by Pete Etchells

'Etchells writes eloquently ... A heartfelt defence of a demonised pastime'

- The Times
'Once in an age, a piece of culture comes along that feels like it was specifically created for you, the beats and words and ideas are there because it is your life the creator is describing. Lost In A Good Game is exactly that. It will touch your heart and mind. And even if Bowser, Chun-li or Q-Bert weren't crucial parts of your youth, this is a flawless victory for everyone'

- Adam Rutherford
When Pete Etchells was 14, his father died from motor neurone disease. In order to cope, he immersed himself in a virtual world - first as an escape, but later to try to understand what had happened. Etchells is now a researcher into the psychological effects of video games, and was co-author on a recent paper explaining why WHO plans to classify 'game addiction' as a danger to public health are based on bad science and (he thinks) are a bad idea.
In this, his first book, he journeys through the history and development of video games - from Turing's chess machine to mass multiplayer online games like World of Warcraft- via scientific study, to investigate the highs and lows of playing and get to the bottom of our relationship with games - why we do it, and what they really mean to us.
At the same time, Lost in a Good Game is a very unusual memoir of a writer coming to terms with his grief via virtual worlds, as he tries to work out what area of popular culture we should classify games (a relatively new technology) under.

Pete Etchells is a Professor in Psychology and Science Communication at Bath Spa University, whose field of research is the behavioural effects of videogames on the human brain. This is his first book.

Pete will talk for approximataly 40 mins followed by a 20 mins Q&A

Hosted by Company of Makers' co-founder Steve Bomford.

Pete's talk will be followed by an interactive Q&A session, so you'll have the opportunity to get involved and he'll answer as many of your questions as we can squeeze in.

We're trying to reach, and better understand, members of the armed forces community who are also gamers, so if that's you we'd really appreciate you taking the time to complete our super short questionnaire.

Over the coming months we will be hosting a range of gaming activities for you to get involved in.

If you have any ideas we’d love to hear them. Just include details in the additional info at the bottom of the form.

Better still, if you're interested in getting involved in some capacity please indicate in the additional information.

Company of Makers are funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund, Arts Council England and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.

Host or Publisher Company of Makers