Creativity Paradigms and Game Design Research: A Transdisciplinary Approach

Using a transdisciplinary approach, this paper shows how creativity studies and game design research can complement each other and open new research avenues. In order to study the role of creativity in game designers' practice, we first touch on the epistemological foundations of creativity studies and game design research. After presenting these disciplines' epistemological underpinnings, we conduct a qualitative content analysis of game design literature, using Vlad Petre Glaveanu's creativity paradigms as our analytical framework. According to these paradigms, the results show that creative game designers are still largely depicted in the literature as either geniuses or skillful individuals, while cultural and social aspects of creativity are overlooked despite their importance in current game design practice. All in all, an epistemological reflection is necessary to bridge the gap between creativity studies and game design studies. We conclude that a pragmatist approach is a promising avenue to bring forward a comprehensive view of creativity in game design practice. Finally, in order to establish theories suited for a wide array of disciplines, this paper also advocates for more transdisciplinarity in creativity research.

Automated summary

This paper demonstrates how creativity studies and game design research can complement each other through a transdisciplinary approach, highlighting the importance of cultural and social aspects of creativity in current game design practice. Epistemological reflection is necessary to bridge the gap between creativity studies and game design research, and a pragmatist approach shows promise in advancing a comprehensive view of creativity in game design practice. The paper also advocates for more transdisciplinarity in creativity research to establish theories suited for a wide array of disciplines.