I think the question of audience is an important one for videogame books. I’ve read too many books by game studies people who’s academic articles I’ve liked but had written books aimed at more of a mainstream audience. That’s great for general audiences but disappointing for someone who doesn’t need so much information frontloaded.

However, I do think anything that gets the average person beyond “those games are ruining our children” or the opposition reaction, “Don’t read so much into them. They are just games” and starts to think more deeply about gaming is a good thing.