Theory of Fandom (Incomplete)

Henry Jenkins' theory of Fandom and Participatory Culture can be defined as the theory of a fans coming together to build a community or culture and participate in expanding and showing appreciation for what they love. This culture had begun to grow in the new age of media and the internet; Web/Media 2.0 which was roughly at the start of the new millenium. Of course a number of the fandom like to take it further and become textual or cultural poachers. Their transition into these types of poachers is supported by the convergence of different platforms. When looking at gaming as as an example of this, different hardwares will be converging to allow players to play Minecraft from different platforms using the same server and network.

Henry Jenkins

- Opposite of the Hypodermic Needle
Optimistic on technological advancements.

Web 2.0: The internet from the year 2000 onwards. The interactive, new age of the internet.

Development of new media has accelerated participatory culture; audiences are active and communicative

Fandom: Refers to the social structures and cultural practices created by the most passionately engaged consumers of mass media properties

Participatory Culture: Refers more broadly to any kind of cultural production which starts at the grassroots of


Textual Poachers in Gaming:

Modding
YouTube walkthroughs
Fan Art
Fan Fiction#
Gaming Music Videos
UGC (User Generated Content)