The Tapper videogame patent as a series of close readings

Nelson, Mark (2016) The Tapper videogame patent as a series of close readings. Proceedings of the 1st International Joint Conference of DiGRA and FDG, 13 (1). pp. 1-13. ISSN 2342-9666

Text main-endnotes.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (471kB) | Request a copy

Abstract / Summary

The popular 1983 arcade game Tapper seems simple at first. The player controls a bartender, and serves customers beer, racing against the clock to serve them before they run out of patience. What then to make of a 10,000-word patent application filed in 1984, claiming protection for the game as an invention? Arguing over the patentability of videogame designs isn't the purpose of this paper; rather, the Tapper patent document itself turns out to constitute a remarkable series of close readings of the game from multiple angles, while illustrating methods for game analysis that are of interest beyond patent law. This starts from its abstract yet evocative title — "Video game in which a host image repels ravenous images by serving filled vessels" — and continues from there, along the way touching on a number of subjects also considered by more recent authors.

Item Type:	Article
ISSN:	2342-9666
Subjects:	Computing & Data Science Computing & Data Science > Game Design
Depositing User:	Mark Nelson
Date Deposited:	06 Mar 2017 10:24
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 14:25
URI:	https://repository.falmouth.ac.uk/id/eprint/1736

View Record (staff only)