Cultural Code

Cultural Code is a revelation: who would have guessed video games could shed so much light on culture, history, politics, and current affairs? The reader is in for a treat: Penix-Tadsen's highly readable yet theoretically sophisticated book includes sections on drug traffickers and the gamers who love them; border tensions and their on-screen representation; and cartel leaders turned into game heroes. Theoretical discussions on the representation of violence and the violence of representation make this study a must-read in the age of global terrorism. Cultural Code is a groundbreaking contribution to two fields: game studies and Latin American studies.

Rubén Gallo, Professor, Princeton University; author of Mexican Modernity: The Avant-Garde and the Technological Revolution

Fascinating, thorough, and well-researched. This is not only the book on Latin America and video games but also a remarkable game studies text on cultural ludology. In a world dominated by North American, European, and Asian video games, Latin America has always been under the radar. Phillip Penix-Tadsen puts it on the cultural map, analyzing how it's been perceived but also showcasing its achievements and potential. As if it were an open world video game, Penix-Tadsen has unlocked a huge part of the map that had been grayed out for decades, located its treasures, and shared them with us. That is a true achievement.

Gonzalo Frasca, Chief Design Officer, WeWantToKnow; Chair of Videogames, Universidad ORT Uruguay

Penix-Tadsen has created a delightfully wide-ranging yet nuanced exploration of the games and game cultures of Latin America. Cultural Code is astute in its arguments, articulate in its language, and a real treat for both expert and novice alike.

Judd Ethan Ruggill, Associate Professor of Communication, Arizona State University