Category: game studies

New article: Museums for the Game Literate Generations

Just a quick note: my short article has been published online. See: ‘Preserving the Virtual Cultural Heritage: Museums for the Game Literate Generations’, in: Making Cultural Heritage Truly Common conference publication (Helsinki: Finnish National Gallery, 2008, p. 9-12). Online: http://www.cultureforall.info/news.php?aid=12030&k=11097 and http://www.cultureforall.info/articles

New publication: An Introduction to Game Studies

An Introduction to Game Studies[Just posted this to Gamesnetwork] Hi all (and apologies for cross-posting),

I noticed that several online bookstores already have this available, so I thought it would be good to drop a line, even if the official publication date is still ahead at the end of March. Sage Publications has kindly put out an introductory textbook of game studies that I have authored, and I hope it will be of use to some of you while designing your courses, or in your own studies. The book is designed to address the character of game studies as an emerging discipline in the academic context, and it will walk students both through the history of digital games as well as the conceptual developments that are useful while addressing the increasing complexity within game cultures. The final part of the book deals with various methodological traditions (humanities, social sciences, design research, play as a method) that are useful while engaging in further studies.

Continue reading “New publication: An Introduction to Game Studies”

Aki's PhD defence

Aki’s PhD defence
Originally uploaded by FransBadger

Aki is here pictured presenting his Lectio, at the start of his PhD defence today. As the official kustos, appointed by the Faculty of Humanities, prof. Mikko Lehtonen, and as the opponent, Jesper Juul. Fascinating path of a researcher, highlighted for a moment in the form of doctoral thesis, yet Aki is already heading towards new horizons, beyond game design and game system analysis, toward design of player experiences, rooted in empathy, nurturing and hope. Nice work — good travel!

Edit: here is also link to a video clip, recorded during Jesper Juul’s final statement (sorry for quiet audio and low quality, this was taken with my mobile phone, some rows back from the audience):

Aki's day tomorrow

Ok, it is finally here — Games without Frontiers, the PhD edition will have its premier tomorrow here in the University of Tampere. See:
Tampereen yliopisto – Väitökset – Aki Järvinen.

Edit: the direct link to the PDF publication is here: http://acta.uta.fi/english/teos.phtml?11046.

Fantasy in Super Mario Galaxy and Terabithia

I usually enjoy fantasy in pretty much any form — I think that the real base and mode of human existence is fantasy, but more about that another time — and this weekend I have been also trying to get my fix in that area. In the ludic frontier, we finally started playing Super Mario Galaxy in co-op mode. This is the latest major release from the Nintendo’s major Mario franchise to their Wii console, and even as a fan of more adult or dark fantasy, I must say I have enjoyed this game. There is particular, surrealist pleasure in flying among stars, conversing with mushroom, and navigating through puzzle-style platform planets where the laws of physics and forms of space are used in endlessly imaginative, original ways. A real treat, great trip!

A Super Mario Galaxy planet (Peliplaneetta screenshot)

In this evening, we will also watch a modern fantasy movie, called Bridge to Terabithia. It is coming from Walden Media/Disney consortium, so I am not sure what to expect, but at least playing a fantasy game and seeing a fantasy movie, one after the other, will again highlight how the different mode of engagement affects the experience of fantasy. Links:

Bridge to Terabithia, movie poster

Speaking about horror in tv

Today Inari Uusimäki called me and I agreed to participate in next ‘K-rappu’, a culturally oriented television show in YLE1 channel. I will be talking about horror, possibly also in terms of games, but mostly from a general cultural semiotic perspective, so stay tuned: the show will go live at 19:20 in Tuesday, 19th of February. Link: http://ohjelmat.yle.fi/krappu/k_rappu

Future Play proceedings in ACM library

You might be interested in taking a look; the Future Play 2007 conference proceedings have been published online in the ACM digital library:
[click here]
However, this is yet another closed, pay-to-view repository, so the Pervasive Games in Ludic Society paper by Jaakko Stenros, Markus Montola and myself might be locked in there for some. Lets see if it is possible to upload an authors’ version somewhere for open access.

New MA in the news

I noticed that at least Digitoday has written a short piece about our new Hypermedia-Information Studies MA; see this link (in Finnish).

New media and game studies MA

This is currently only the pilot call, and unfortunately some of the courses will only be offered in Finnish, but a significant development in any case: Hypermedia Laboratory is now joining forces with the Information Studies to offer a two-year MA track within Information Studies, with focus in Hypermedia (new media, digital culture and game studies emphasis). The special call closes already in March 3rd 2008; see: http://www.uta.fi/hyper/opetus/syventavat.php.

LanTrek talk

LanTrek talk

As you can see from the photo, LanTrek 2008 is a lan party with loads of computers and young people in a large, darkened room: something that kids at least here in Finland regularly enjoy in great numbers. I gave there an hour-long talk about the digital culture for a smaller audience.