游戏研究（或称游戏理论）是以批判角度研究游戏的学科。它的主要研究主题包含游戏设计、玩家以及玩家在社会文化中的角色。游戏研究是一门跨领域的学科，其主要研究者来自广泛不同的学科背景，包含计算机科学、心理学、社会学、人类学、哲学、艺术、文学、传播以及神学。

如其他媒体学科，像电视或电影研究，游戏研究通常使用内容分析法以及观众理论。但游戏研究通常使用比电视、电影研究等更为广泛的研究方法，从人文以及社会科学等学门集成不同的方法。

Game studies, also known as ludology or gaming theory, is the study of games, or the act of playing them, most commonly video games. Game studies is a discipline of Cultural studies that deals with all types of games throughout history. This field of research utilizes the tactics of at least anthropology, sociology, and psychology while examining aspects of the design of the game, the players in the game, and finally, the role the game plays in its society or culture. Game studies may oftentimes be confused with the study of video games, but this is only one area of focus for game studies, in reality it includes all types of gaming, including sports, board games, etc.