Zen and Slow Games
Book •
Víctor Navarro-Remesal's Zen and Slow Games examines slowness and reflectiveness as recurring styles in video games rather than mere absences of action.
The book traces the emergence of Zen modes during the 2000s Casual Revolution and the later slow gaming movement from the 2010s, situating both within broader cultural conversations about mindfulness, commercialisation, and the attention economy.
Navarro-Remesal proposes 'reflective games' as an umbrella concept that unites diverse practices through shared design elements like reduced gameplay pressure, temporal techniques, and moments for contemplation.
He draws historical examples from text adventures to contemporary titles, arguing for attention to style and detailed case studies in game studies.
The book advocates expanding how scholars and designers understand game styles and the role of dead time, meditation, and reflective design in play.
The book traces the emergence of Zen modes during the 2000s Casual Revolution and the later slow gaming movement from the 2010s, situating both within broader cultural conversations about mindfulness, commercialisation, and the attention economy.
Navarro-Remesal proposes 'reflective games' as an umbrella concept that unites diverse practices through shared design elements like reduced gameplay pressure, temporal techniques, and moments for contemplation.
He draws historical examples from text adventures to contemporary titles, arguing for attention to style and detailed case studies in game studies.
The book advocates expanding how scholars and designers understand game styles and the role of dead time, meditation, and reflective design in play.
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Introduced by ![undefined]()
Rudolf Inderst
Victor Navarro-Remesal, "Zen and Slow Games" (MIT Press, 2026)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
Rudolf Inderst
Victor Navarro-Remesal, "Zen and Slow Games" (MIT Press, 2026)
