First things last: the basics

“Ethnography (Greek ἔθνος ethnos = people and γράφειν graphein = writing) is a genre of writing that uses fieldwork to provide a descriptive study of human societies“ (Wikipedia 25/10/2008).

Furthermore;
"When used as a method, ethnography typically refers to fieldwork (alternatively, participant observation) conducted by a single investigator who 'lives with and lives like' those who are studied, usually for a year or more." ‐‐John Van Maanen, 1996.

"Ethnography literally means 'a portrait of a people.' An ethnography is a written description of a particular culture ‐ the customs, beliefs, and behavior ‐ based on information collected through fieldwork." ‐‐Marvin Harris and Orna Johnson, 2000.

"Ethnography is the art and science of describing a group or culture. The description may be of a small tribal group in an exotic land or a classroom in middle‐class suburbia." ‐‐David M. Fetterman, 1998.

Although there was some hesitation during the workshop, based on these fundamental quotes there is no reason to assume that what was presented during the In the Game workshop wouldn’t be ethnography in its core meaning.

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So, what was 'in the game'? Researcher’s subjectivity, identity, body and reputation. Her power, efforts, and time. Participant’s trust, autonomy and help. But also the entire research: participation, material, interaction, friends, enemies, supporters. Fears and hopes. The game is public and private. It is in the mind and it is the body. It can be the means to an end or the end itself – the field or a way to understand the field. It can be social, about social or for social. And as I have learned from the theories of game studies: game is not an object, it is a process.