The Philosophy of Computer Games Conference series

2005-2011

About the conference series

The Philosophy of Computer Games Conference series is a series of international conferences devoted to the development of a field of philosophical discussion of key concepts in game research. Being the only conference series with this focus, it has gained international recognition as a venue of serious philosophical discussion on a wide range of issues linked to computer games. Currently the conferences in the series implement rigorous peer review practice to ensure the relevance of accepted submissions to established traditions of both philosophy and game research.

Papers from the various conferences (excluding 2005) in the series are archived online, and in more recent years they have been published with an ISBN number. Paper presentations will be video recorded and made available online alongside the proceedings. Some years, the conference program has included a discussion panel intended for a broader audience, a PhD student workshop, and alternative presentation types (“invited speakers” and “the author defends her views”), and has been accompanied by surrounding events on the topic of computer games.

History

The series originates in a workshop “The Third Place” – Computer games and our conception of the real organized as a collaboration of Filosofisk Prosjektsenter in Oslo, Norway, the Center for Computer Games Research, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo in May 2005. This workshop served to consolidate the core group of researchers and institutions at present involved in development of the conference series. This group has since been expanded through contacts made during subsequent conferences in the series. To complement and support the work of the core group, an

Advisory Board was formed in 2011, consisting of a number of leading international experts in the fields of computer games and philosophy.

Events by year

Below is a brief chronological account of the conferences organized so far.

2005

Dates 20-21 MayTitle “The Third Place” – Computer games and our conception of the real

Location Copenhagen, DenmarkHost institution Center for Computer Games, IT University of Copenhagen

Duration 2 daysNo. of audience 20No. of speakers 12

Keynote speakers NoneWebsite http://www.fps.no/gameconference2005.html

2007

Dates 25-27 JanuaryThemes Computer game entities

Player ExperienceThe Ethics of Computer Games

Location Reggio Emilia, ItalyHost institution Department of Social, Quantitative and Cognitive Sciences, University of

Modena and Reggio EmiliaDuration 3 days

No. of audience 70No. of speakers 24

Keynote speakers Espen AarsethWebsite http://game.unimore.it/game/Benvenuto.html

Notes The conference was mentioned on the Italian RAI P2 radio program “Giocando”, where there was an interview with Patrick Coppock as conference coordinator, and also in the local press in Reggio Emilia and Modena.

2008

Dates May 8-10Themes Action/Space

Ethics/PoliticsThe Magic Circle

Location Potsdam, GermanyHost institution University of Potsdam, Institute for Art and Media, European Media Studies,

Digarec Digital Games Research CenterDuration 3 days

No. of audience 200No. of speakers 21

Keynote speakers Ian Bogost, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, USARichard Bartle, University of Essex, UKJesper Juul, New York University, USA

Website http://onscreendisplay.net/gamephilosophy/Sponsors Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH

Notes The conference was accompanied by the Open Worlds Panel, intended for a broader game development audience. After this event, philosophy of computer games was also discussed in German press. Especially the articles of Johannes Thumfart in the Berliner Zeitung and Janine Wagner on Heute.de are worth noting.

2009

Dates 13-15 AugustThemes Fictionality and Interaction

Defining Computer GamesEthical and Political Issues

Location Oslo, NorwayHost institution Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas at the

University of OsloDuration 3 days

No. of audience 80No. of speakers 26

Keynote speakers Kendall Walton, University of Michigan, USAMiguel Sicart, IT University of Copenhagen, DenmarkGrant Tavinor, Lincoln University, New Zealand

Website http://gamephilosophy.org/ Notes This conference was preceded by a pre-conference workshop for PhD

students organised by Nordic Game Research Network.

2011

Year 2011Dates 6-8 April

Themes Player-Avatar IdentityIdentity and Conceptions of the SelfIdentity and ImmersionIdentity, Artifacts and Memory

Location Athens, GreeceHost institution Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas at the

University of OsloDuration 3 days

No. of participantsNo. of papers 23

Keynote speakers Mia Consalvo, MIT, USAEric Olson, University of Sheffield, UKDavid M. Myers, Loyola University of New Orleans, USA

Website http://2011.gamephilosophy.org/Sponsors PCMaster

ElCulture.grGNet.grBaxas Graphic Arts

Notes This conference was accompanied by the Hellenic Game Developers

Association Forum event, with its own track of presentations.

2012

Year 2012Dates 29-31 January

Themes Player ExperienceLocation Madrid, Spain

Host institution ARSGAMESDuration 3 days

No. of participantsNo. of papers 20

Keynote speakers Graeme Kirkpatrick, University of Manchester, UK. (Biography).Don Ihde, Stony Brook University, New York. (Biography).Gregory Currie, University of Nottingham, UK. (Biography).

Website http://2012.gamephilosophy.org/Sponsors

Notes

Organisation

Scientific and organizational duties are divided between a Program Committee and an Organization Committee. The Organization Committee takes care of logistical and financial matters whereas the programme committee is responsible for the call for papers and selection of speakers/presenters through a double-blind peer review process. The review board consists of leading experts in the fields of philosophy of computer games.While the Program and Organization Committees are reformed for each conference, some present members have served since the first conference of the series. In addition to these, an Advisory Board has now been formed, which can be consulted as needed and help bring continuity to the organization of the conference series in the longer term.

Committees

Programme Committee 2012

- Olav Asheim, University of Oslo- EurÍdice Cabañes, ARSGAMES- Gordon Calleja, IT University of Copenhagen- Patrick Coppock, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia- Dr. Olli Tapio Leino, City University of Hong Kong (chair)- Anita Leirfall, University of Bergen- Daniel Parente, Unversidad Camilo Jose Cela - ESNE design School

- John Richard Sageng, University of Oslo

Organization Committee 2012

- Juan Francisco Belmonte, ARSGAMES- Eurídice Cabañes, ARSGAMES

Flavio Escribano, ARSGAMESRuth García Martín, ARSGAMESFélix Morales, ARSGAMESDaniel Parente, Unversidad Camilo Jose Cela - ESNE design School.María Rubio Méndez, ARSGAMESJosé Ivan San José, ARSGAMESJoaquín Siabra Fraile, ARSGAMES.

Advisory Board (since 2011)

- Stephan Günzel, University of Potsdam- Richard Bartle, University of Essex- Nicolas de Warren, Wellesley College- Luciano Floridi, Oxford University- Seth Giddings, University of the West of England- David Myers, Loyola University of New Orleans- Frans Mäyrä, University of Tampere- Kendall Walton, University of Michigan- Ren Reynolds, The Virtual Policy Network

Review Board 2012

- Thomas Apperley, Monash University, Australia.

- Olav Asheim, University of Oslo, Norway.

- Gordon Calleja, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

- Jon Cogburn, Louisiana State University Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, United States.

- Patrick John Coppock, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.

- Patrick Crogan, Univ of the West of England, United Kingdom.

- Stephan Günzel, Berlin Technical University of Arts, Germany.

- Jessica Enevold, Lund University, Sweden.

- Gonzalo Frasca, ORT University - Powerful Robot Games, Uruguay.

- Jonathan Frome, University of Texas at Dallas, United States.

- Seth Giddings, University of the West of England, United Kingdom.

- Sara Mosberg Iversen, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.

- Kristine Jørgensen, University of Bergen, Norway.

- Rune Klevjer, Uniersity of Bergen, Norway.

- Sybille Lammes, Utrecht University, Netherlands.

- Bjarke Liboriussen, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.

- Craig Lindley, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden.

- David Myers, Loyola University New Orleans, United States.

- Frans Mäyrä, University of Tampere, Finland.

- Sebastian Möring, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

- Jon Robson, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.

- John Richard Sageng, IFIKK, UiO, Norway.

- Miguel Sicart, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

- Mark Silcox, The University of Central Oklahoma, United States.

- Johnny Søraker, University of Twente, Netherlands.

- Susana Tosca, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

- Ragnhild Tronstad, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Norway.

- Nicolas de Warren, Wellesley College, United States.

- Hanna Wirman, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Design, Hong Kong.

- Emma Witkowski, IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark.