The Perception of Digital Games and Mass Media in Germany and Australia

The differences in the perception of digital games in Germany and Australian are distinct. While their assessment in Germany is dominated by a pessimistic Kulturkritik tenor which regards them as an 'illegitimate' activity, in Australia they are enjoyed by a wide demographic as a 'legitimate' pastime. The presentation deals with the reasons behind these differences. It analyses the social history of digital gaming in both countries and relates it to their socio-cultural traditions and their effects on modes of distinction.