Through lecture, discussion, and hands-on activities, this workshop offers a critical introduction to the study of games and game development. Discussions will analyze games as both a cultural object and a potential tool for humanities research. Games provide an environment for unique learning experiences that engage players in ways not possible in other media. This workshop will consider how narrative, mechanics, and simulation create a space for engaging players in critical thought. Participants will play and consider a selection of short games that exemplify the use of games as critical works, and also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to create a functional game prototype using free, user-friendly software. No gaming or coding experience necessary!
Instructor: Sarah Thorne (Carleton University)
Emily Christina Murphy is a doctoral candidate and Teaching Fellow in the Department of English at Queen’s University, Canada. She has taught introductory DH courses across the DH Training Network in addition to the British Library Staff Training Programme and the undergraduate Field School in Digital Humanities at the Bader International Study Centre, Herstmonceux Castle. She is co-editor, with Dr. Shannon Smith, of a special issue of Digital Humanities Quarterly entitled, “Imagining the DH Undergraduate.”
Jay Irizawa is an interdisciplinary designer and educator. His design practice explores the un-boundaries of digital/physical space as a medium and interface, focusing research on projects as a practitioner of environment design and as a part-time lecturer in the School of Interior Design at Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.