Why is "Mana" in Your Video Games?

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If you play League of Legends, World of Warcraft, or Magic the Gathering, you've probably heard about "mana." It is the magical power used by sorcerers, magicians, mages, and wizards. But what is mana, and how did it enter video gaming culture? Special thanks to one of our patrons, Esteban, for suggesting the video title!

Bibliography:
Alex Golub, “The History of Mana,” The Appendix, April 2014: http://theappendix.net/issues/2014/4/the-history-of-mana-how-an-austronesian-concept-became-a-video-game-mechanic

Jacques Waardenburg, Russell T. McCutcheon , "Classical Approaches to the Study of Religion: Aims, Methods, and Theories of Research. Introduction and Anthology,” (De Gruyter, 2017).

Juliette Blevins, "Some Comparative Notes on Proto-Oceanic mana: Inside and Outside the Austronesian Family,” Oceanic Linguistics, Vol. 47, No. 2 (Dec., 2008), 253-274.

Mana study by Office of Hawaiian Affairs: https://www.oha.org/mana

Matt Tomlinson, "New Mana: Transformations of a Classic Concept in Pacific Languages and Cultures,” (ANU Press, 2016).

Matt Tomlinson, “Retheorizing Mana: Bible Translation and Discourse of Loss in Fiji,” Oceania, Vol. 76, No. 2 (Jul., 2006), 173-185..

Matthew Tomlinson, “In God’s Image: The Metaculture of Fijian Christianity,” (University of California Press, 2009).

Wende Elizabeth Marshall, “Potent Mana: Lessons in Power and Healing,” (SUNY Press, 2011)

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