Games and virtual worlds, like the ‘real’ world, exist in space and time, but exhibit distinct features all their own. At the same time, such spaces are inhabited by virtual bodies which also, while echoing certain features of embodiment in the physical world, behave according to distinct rules and conventions. This seminar will apply selected theories of space, time, embodiment and multimodal design to account for these specificities.

The work draws on Diane Carr‘s AHRC Fellowship dedicated to the representation of disabled bodies in games; on research in multimodal methodologies as part of the MODE project, and on research in DARE (Digital|Arts|Research|Education).  We are also pleased to have invited talks by Tom Apperley (UNSW, Australia) and Seth Giddings (UWE).

PROGRAMME

10:30 Arrival (Tea and Coffee)

11:00 – 11:30 Paths, Possibilities and Places: approaches to thinking about space and time in videogames (Alison Gazzard, IOE)

11:30 – 12:00 What is disembodied play? A collective review and discussion of ‘games and embodiment’ literature (Diane Carr, IOE)

12:00 – 12:30 Multimodal approaches to games: designing space and action (Andrew Burn, IOE)

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 14:15 Gaming’s networked imaginary: Transnational rhythms and global citizenship (Tom Apperley, UNSW, Australia)

14:15 – 15:00 Configuring the 15-second Dancer: designing for embodied play (Seth Giddings, UWE)

15:00 Closing comments

15:30 End

Speakers: Andrew Burn, Diane Carr, Alison Gazzard, Institute of Education and Tom Apperley (UNSW, Australia) and Seth Giddings (UWE)

Location: Room 826, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL

Registration:  Places are free but limited. Please book a place online and the online registration page