Game On: The History and Culture of Videogames, Lucien King, ed.
(see page 426)
Recommended:
"Gaming the System: Multi-player Worlds Online," J. C. Herz
"Pokémon as Japanese Culture?" Masuyama
"Game Systems: Part I, II, III," by Ron Hale-Evans <www.thegamesjour-nal.com/articles/GameSystems1.l>
In this three-part series, game designer Ron Hale-Evans explores the concept of a game system: a set of components (like a deck of cards) that function together to form a variety of different games. His investigation includes a range of lesser-known and fascinating game systems. Although Hale-Evans focuses on paper-based games, his discussion has relevance for an exploration of the mod culture of digital games.
Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture, by Henry Jenkins
In his study of media fan culture, Jenkins represents media fans within a player-as-producer paradigm: actively constructing their own objects and meanings from borrowed materials. Jenkins' study is of particular relevance to the culture of hacks, mods, and cheats emerging from open source games.
Recommended:
Chapter 1:"Get a Life!": Fans, Poachers, and Nomads
Chapter 5: Scribbling in the Margins
Chapter 7:"Layers of Meaning": Fan Music Videos and the Poetics of Poaching