We are delighted to announce the scholars selected for the third round of the DiGRA Rising Star Spotlight. This round continues to celebrate emerging researchers whose work contributes to the richness and diversity of game studies.

There has already been quite a bit of discussion around the paradox of horror, but I think there is still something interesting in coming at it through things like toyetic culture, everydayness and small-scale forms of horror play. So, the hope is to bring together a group of people with overlapping interests and see what…

A new edited collection, Games and the Gothic: Playing in the Shadows, is seeking chapter proposals. Co-edited by Jeff Howard (Falmouth University) and Chloé Wake (Manchester Metropolitan University) with Edinburgh University Press, the collection explores the Gothic across digital, tabletop, material, and role-playing games — examining how Gothic aesthetics, affect, and atmosphere intersect with mechanics,…

We’ll host a conference on the convergence between video games and gambling in late September 2026 in Hong Kong. 🇭🇰🇨🇳 Let’s think “outside of the loot box.” Call for papers for The Gam(bl)ing Conference: https://tinyurl.com/thegamblingcfp. This will be a hybrid livestreaming event. Register for free via: https://tinyurl.com/thegamblingregister. Abstract deadline: 26 June 2026 Results notification: 20…

Following the strong response to the previous rounds of the “DiGRA Rising Star” Spotlight, we are pleased to invite self-nominations for the third round of the program. The Rising Star initiative celebrates and showcases the work of emerging scholars in our community, providing visibility for their research and contributions to game studies.

We are pleased to announce the scholars selected for this round of the DiGRA Rising Star Spotlight. Maria O’Brien – ECR/PP Track Zihan Feng – Student Track