Reified gameplay

Traditionally, theories of play and games have drawn a clear distinction between two different forms of activity; play and labour. Over the last two decades, the concept of playbour has challenged this division, with empirical studies and observations showing the intertwining of play and labour. This article offers an analysis of playbour through different perspectives of Critical Theory and explores its theoretical implications. The novel concept of reified gameplay is presented to understand the alienating tendencies of playbour, using the games EVE Online and CryptoKitties as key examples. Reified gameplay is a form of gameplay action shaped by processes of reification and rationalisation within and as part of the culture industry.