276 Enrico Gandolfi Rome, Italy The playing diorama Abstract he intent of my article is to outline a process-oriented framework able to connect the micro and the macro context of the ludic experience, in order to point out an integrated vision of the phenomenon. Concerning the former, I adopt the concept of “Magic circle”, interpreted in socio-semiotic terms (Eugeni 2010). Regarding to the latter, my reference is to the “Circuit of culture” suggest- ed by Du Gay et al. (1997). Furthermore, these dimensions are analyzed through two intersected continuums: the scripts, the repertory of practices that set our heuristics (Abelson and Schank 1977), and the frames, the conceptual pictures we employ in order to visualize and ix our symbolic systems (Eco 1975; Gofman 1974). his proposal is empirically tested following a qualitative methodology (Silverman 2013) through observations, ludic reports, collective and single in- depth interviews with three gaming groups. [Introduction 0.0] Game studies resort to a wide range of perspectives. On the one hand, design- ers have developed a strong patrimony of procedures. On the other hand, game scholars have improved their methods, exploring many areas of in-game practic- es and cultures. he merger between these logics is productive, but not unprob- lematic as it may appear. In particular, hard sociological tools, qualitative as quantitative, are particular in their use, without a shared background and a recip- rocal connection. Nowadays the task is to ind a clear way to connect social con- texts with game experience with the aim to systematically explore ludic feelings and cultures among them. In order to reach this goal, I suggest a fusion between micro and macro spheres of gaming experience, embracing a process-oriented approach . he resulting model, which I refer to as a ludic diorama, was devel- oped in a way that is both theoretically (with references from social sciences to game design) and grounded: it was tested indeed in an empirical manner, focus- ing on self-narration and positioning of some signiicant players.