Welcome to Game Studies for Everyone, the podcast where complex game research becomes accessible to everyone! Join our co-hosts as they break down cutting-edge research in games and interactive media. Each 15 to 20 minute episode transforms academic findings into bite-sized, engaging discussions that everyone can enjoy. Whether you’re a gamer, developer, or just curious about the science behind the games you love, Game Studies for Everyone is your go-to source for easy-to-digest insights. No jargon, just fascinating research from peer-reviewed, published research in the humanities, computer science, narrative and more. Learn what’s new and how is shapes the way we play, learn, and develop. Hosted by Eliza Jiqiren and Nat Weizenbaum.
In this episode of GS-E, we dive into a fascinating intersection of play and protest. What does it mean to play as an act of rebellion? We’ll explore how parkour, skateboarding, and skywalking defy authority and embrace civil disobedience, both in the real world and in video games. Using examples from popular parkour and skateboarding games, we break down how risky-play challenges societal norms and authority figures. Based on a p...
In this episode of GS-E, we explore how interactive narratives and newsgames explain the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. Discover how a game, based on the Panama and Paradise Papers, uses persuasive play to unpack systemic biases in immigration policies between 2017–2021, reaching over 45,000 players with its engaging, investigative approach. Based on the paper https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1007/978-3-031-47658-7_4
In this episode, we explore how persuasive games can influence societal change. Learn how games designed with macro, micro, and meta-persuasive strategies challenge norms and offer new ways to impact politics, culture, and more. From Grace, L.D. 2021, Micro, Macro and Meta-Persuasive Play to Change Society, in Persuasive Gaming in Context. Amsterdam University Press, 2021.
In this episode, we explore how games can lead social change by encouraging problem-solving, shifting perspectives, and inspiring action. Learn how playful strategies help tackle complex societal issues across education, policy, health, and more. Grace, L. 2024, The Patterns of Games for Leading Social Change. Journal of Leadership Studies. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21880
In this episode, we explore how the game Factitious helps players sharpen their news literacy skills. Discover how over 500,000 players identified fake news, and the surprising patterns revealed about age, education, and performance in fighting misinformation through playful learning. Based on https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3290607.3299046
In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore a fascinating perspective from the 2011 Digital Games Research Association Conference, : Are indie games the poetry of the gaming world? We'll dive into how independent games use poetic elements like meter, metaphor, and personification to create unique player experiences. Discover how comparing game design to literary forms like sonnets and haikus opens up a whole new way of...
In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore the critical design movement in indie games, led by visionary artists like Nicky Case, Lindsay Grace, and Zach Gage. These games push the boundaries of traditional game design, using gameplay to critique social conventions and question player assumptions. We’ll break down the key traits of critical games—social vs. mechanical critique, delivery styles, and the role of humor—w...
In this exciting debut of our series on misinformation and disinformation, we dive into the world of disinformation games—engaging, thought-provoking interventions designed to combat the spread of fake news. We'll explore how these games are harnessing the power of play to change the way we interact with media, focusing on two major communication theories: Inoculation Theory and Transportation Theory. These theories provide insight...
n this second installment of our series, we continue to delve into the world of misinformation and disinformation games, but this time, we’re focusing on the powerful emotional and psychological effects these games can elicit. Using Excitation Transfer Theory and Transportation Theory, we’ll explore how emotions, empathy, and narrative immersion play a critical role in shaping player behavior. Discover how carefully crafted emotion...
In this episode, we dive into an innovative research project that explores how microgames can combat health misinformation in vulnerable communities. The researchers behind the study developed three unique microgame prototypes—a trivia game, a social media simulation, and an interactive fiction narrative—each designed to engage and educate players. Through real-world testing with healthcare providers, community educators, and the t...
What if gathering public opinion could be fun and interactive? In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking research of Lindsay Grace, who explores the use of games as polling systems. Grace introduces the concept of playable polls—interactive games designed to collect player opinions and sentiment in a more engaging and effective way than traditional methods. Through the design and testing of three prototype games focused on i...
We dive into the "State of Newsgames 2020" report, which analyzes 50 newsgames from 2015 to 2020. Discover how interactive news experiences use familiar game mechanics to tackle real-world topics in short, shareable formats. We'll explore the editorial nature of newsgames, their aesthetic qualities, and how they’re shaping the future of news storytelling. Whether you're a journalist, game designer, or just curious, this episode unc...
In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore the fascinating world of newsgames and how they’re reshaping the way we consume news. Using a case study from a major national newspaper, we dive into the challenges of creating newsgames—from the fast pace of news to the evolving game literacy of audiences. We’ll also discuss the exciting opportunities ahead, including the rise of mobile gaming and low-cost development tools...
In this episode of Game Studies for Everyone, we explore the exciting potential of newsgames as a tool for delivering timely news in a fast-paced media world. Based on a Newsjam—a 36-hour event where participants collaborated to create newsgames based on current events. Can games be created quickly and effectively by non-experts? We’ll discuss the findings, including how teams with game development experience produced the most impa...
In this episode, we dive into the ongoing debate surrounding video games and their impact on society. From accusations of fostering addiction to claims of inciting violence, games have long been a target of moral panics. But how much of this is rooted in fact, and how much in fear? Join us as we explore the history of moral panics, the science behind gaming and behavior, and the cultural shifts that shape our understanding of games...
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of eSports, exploring how its rapid rise mirrors evolving social values in the digital age. We’ll discuss how eSports, much like traditional sports, showcase exceptional skills—but with a twist. Instead of physical dominance, eSports champions mental agility, strategic thinking, and problem-solving prowess.
Our conversation will focus on how this shift reflects a broader cultural change,...
In this episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities of exhibiting interactive media in today's museums and galleries. Drawing from her extensive global experience organizing game art exhibitions, Grace breaks down the different approaches—exhibitions, festivals, and showcases—revealing the strengths and limitations of each. We dive into the complexities of displaying digital games, the importance of archiving, and the evol...
Dive into the groundbreaking world of Blank Arcade 2015, a second event showcasing games as you’ve never seen before. In this episode, we uncover how this experimental exhibition transforms traditional game design into a powerful art form. From the physical challenge of 'Shapes,' a neurorehabilitation game that redefines physical therapy, to the digital odyssey of 'Arthur Rimbaud in Liberty City,' where the poetic world collides wi...
Dive into the world where gaming meets art in our latest episode! We explore the fascinating catalog of Blank Arcade 2014, an extraordinary showcase from the Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA) conference. This collection highlights early examples of games as artistic and conceptual expressions, pushing boundaries far beyond traditional play. From experimental narratives and innovative mechanics to visually stunning designs,...
Are the cultural norms of the art world stifling true creative breakthroughs? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into Lindsay Grace's exploration of enculturation and its impact on artistic production. Grace pulls back the curtain on the culture of art critique, academic consensus, and the processes that shape how creativity unfolds. She distinguishes between innovation, which refines and builds upon established ideas, and ...
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
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Come hang with Amy Poehler. Each week on her podcast, she'll welcome celebrities and fun people to her studio. They'll share stories about their careers, mutual friends, shared enthusiasms, and most importantly, what's been making them laugh. This podcast is not about trying to make you better or giving advice. Amy just wants to have a good time.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.