Bompas & Parr

Gastro-Ludology — £10

GASTRO-LUDOLOGY
The Subtle Art of Playing with Food

Paperback, with sleeve, 105 x 148 mm
Published by Bompas & Parr Editions

In an era where the boundaries between the digital and the physical are becoming ever more porous, Gastro-Ludology invites readers to consider an under-explored but richly layered intersection: that of food and play. Our new publication presents a compelling thesis - that food is not merely fuel, nor games mere distractions, but that together they represent a fertile ground for cultural expression, sensory immersion, and creative reinvention.

From the pixelated mushrooms of Super Mario to the hyper-realistic banquets of Final Fantasy XV, we chart the evolution of food in video games as both a functional mechanic and a storytelling device; examining the ways in which virtual edibles shape player experience, character identity, and world-building.

Beyond the screen, Gastro-Ludology examines real-world connections, from snack trends to historical food-based games, and includes original recipes inspired by iconic in-game consumables. This is a timely exploration of how we eat, how we play, and the unexpected ways those worlds collide.

Credits:
Designed by Jacob Lloyd David
Written by Ralph Barker
Recipes by Pablo Britton
Photography by Sophia Olver
With Additional Imagery from the Gaming Community

With thanks to: The ludically minded members of the Bompas & Parr Studio, past, present and future.

Special thanks to: Anita Fontaine, Eric Krause, and Sam Crane, for their valuable insight, Freddie Mason, and Henry Olver for nostalgic prop sourcing.

ISBN: 978-0-9576477-9-4

First published in the United Kingdom in 2025 by Bompas & Parr Editions, London EC1A 4JN.

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