Game Studies for Everyone

5-Minute Games You Should Know: Playable Polls – A New Era of Opinion Gathering Through Games

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 identifying fake news, Grace reveals how these playable polls can gather meaningful data while keeping players entertained.
We'll take you behind the scenes of the third prototype, tested at an international conference with 287 play sessions, and explore the potential of this innovative method to transform how we understand public perception. Whether you're into gaming, data collection, or just curious about the future of polling, this episode is one you won't want to miss!
https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3334480.3375230
 

The Rise of Newsgames: Exploring the State of Interactive Games & Journalism

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 uncovers the current trends in newsgame development.
Based on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcFvoAOBWDM
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342664738_A_snapshot_analysis_of_interactives_toys_and_games_in_journalism_and_allied_industries_STATE_OF_NEWSGAMES_2020
https://www.amazon.com/State-Newsgames-2020-interactives-journalism/dp/1716907527
 

Newsgames: The Future of News Delivery or Too Much for Newsrooms?

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, which are making newsgames a timely and accessible medium for serious journalism.
Grace, L., Treanor, M., Totten, C. and McCoy, J. 2016. A Case Study in Newsgame Creation: Why Game Designers and Journalists are Still Learning to Work Together, 66th International Communication Conference, Fukuoka, Japan

Can Games Keep Up with the News? Inside the Newsjam Experiment

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 impactful games and what this means for the future of news delivery.
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3196697.3196702
 

Games, Addiction, and Violence: Unpacking the Moral Panics

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 today. Are games truly as dangerous as some claim, or is the conversation missing something bigger? Tune in for a short, thoughtful discussion on the intersection of gaming, society, and the stories we tell ourselves.

The Rise of eSports: Mental Agility and the Shift in Modern Values

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, where society increasingly prizes cognitive skills over physical strength. From the complexities of digital environments to the role of mental sharpness in mate selection, we’ll unpack how eSports may symbolize a new era in how we define success and skill. Join us as we examine the intersection of play, culture, and the changing landscape of human values.
References:
Grace, L. eSports as Evolution: Shifting Social Values in Sport, Future of Information and Communication Conference, San Francisco, CA, March 2023
Jordan-Vallverdú, V., Plaza-Navas, M. A., Raya, J. M., & Torres-Pruñonosa, J. (2024). The intellectual structure of esports research. Entertainment Computing, 49, 100628.
Brown, S.L.: Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Penguin (2009)
Kaplan, H.S., Gangestad, S.W.: Optimality approaches and evolutionary psychology. In: The Evolution of Mind: Fundamental Questions and Controversies. pp. 121–129 (2007)

Game On: Curating Digital Art in the 21st Century

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 evolving roles of curators and judges in this exciting field. Whether you’re a game enthusiast, an art aficionado, or just curious about the future of digital media in art, this episode is your backstage pass to the thrilling intersection of gaming and art. Tune in to discover why recognizing the artistry and efforts behind game creation is more important than ever!
Sources:
Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Indie Arcade, Washington, DC, USA. http://www.IndiePopup.com (accessed April 2, 2017) 
Smithsonian Institutes. Permanent Collections. http://americanart.si.edu/collections/mediaarts/  uri: http://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2013.70 
Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, New York, USA, http://www.museumofplay.org/ 
Grace, L. Heuristics from Curating and Exhibiting Game Art in the 21st Century, In proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Digital Arts (Artech 2017), Macao, China
Aesthetics of Gameplay. 2014. Digital Arts Community,  http://gameartshow.siggraph.org/gas/ (accessed March 25, 2017) 
Huhtamo, Erkki. "On the origins of the virtual museum." Museums in a Digital Age (2010): 121-135. 
 

Level Up: Blank Arcade 2015 – Exploring the Art of Games

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 with the virtual streets of Grand Theft Auto IV to explore identity, these games push the boundaries of what games can be. We discuss concept-driven pieces that tackle pressing social, political, and environmental issues, revealing how game mechanics can engage players in complex conversations. This episode is your backstage pass to a revolutionary moment where games transcend entertainment and step into the realm of art—an exhibition you won’t want to miss!
Source:
https://www.lgrace.com/blankarcade/

Games Beyond Play: Exploring the Art of Blank Arcade 2014

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, these games redefine what it means to engage with interactive experiences. Join us as we navigate through the diverse range of titles and discuss how these playful creations challenge the norm and deserve a place in the exhibition halls of the art world. Perfect for game enthusiasts, artists, and anyone curious about the evolution of gaming as a form of artistic expression!
Grace, L 2014, Blank Arcade: An exhibition at the 2014 Digital Games Research Association Conference, exhibition catalogue, August 4, DiGRA Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. ISBN 978-1312375680 [PDF]https://www.lgrace.com/blankarcade2014/

Breaking the Mold: Enculturation and Creativity With Games and Creative Software

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 invention, the daring leap into the unknown. How does the art world’s preference for the familiar hinder radical, groundbreaking work? Tune in as we unpack Grace's argument that stepping beyond traditional methodologies is essential for invention—and the potential for an artistic revolution when we do. Get ready to challenge your perspective on creativity and discover what it really takes to break the mold!
Sources: 
Manovich, L. (2002). The Language of New Media. Cambridge, Ma: M.I.T. Press. 
Grace, L. 2009. The Challenge of Enculturation in the Arts, Handbook of Research on Computational Arts and Creative Informatics, IGI Global & Towson University (2009)
Bishop, A. (1991). Mathematical Enculturation: A Cultural Perspective on Mathematics. Melbourne, Australia: Kluwer Academic Publishers. 
Grau, O. (Ed.). (2007). Media Art Histories. Cambridge, Ma.: M.I.T. Press.