In the past decade research on computer games has become a recognized area of academic research in several disciplines with an increasing number of studies, surveys, conferences and publications.The International Handbook of Digital Games Studies presents and reflects upon the state which digital game studies has obtained and discusses perspectives for the future. The focus lies on aesthetic, social, cultural and educational aspects of computer games and persistent (multiplayer) game worlds. The handbook will consist of five main chapters which each will present new theoretical, methodical and empirical work. 1) Computer games and game analysis: How can we define, analyse and categorize computer games? 2) Users, uses and social contexts of computer games: What do we know about the use and the users of computer and video games? How are computer and video games related to and imbedded into society and social contexts? 3) The player-game-relation: How can we describe and understand the individual player's relation to computer games? 4) Game and player cultures: What do we know about social and cultural phenomena (like clans, communities, creative practices) related to computer games? 5) Educational approaches and learning: How can we conceive and study the relevance of digital games for learning, education, socialization and other processes that influence personality development?