Call for Papers Visions of Humanity and Videogame Cultures Oxford July 2010

5th Global Conference

Visions of Humanity in Cyberculture, Cyberspace and Science Fiction

Sunday 11th July 2010 - Tuesday 13th July 2010

Mansfield College, Oxford, United Kingdom

Call for Papers

This inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary project aims to explore what it is to be human and the nature of human community in cyberculture, cyberspace and science fiction. In particular, the project will explore the possibilities offered by these contexts for creative thinking about persons and the challenges posed to the nature and future of national, international, and global communities.

Papers, short papers, and workshops are invited on issues related to any of the following themes;

* the relationship between cyberculture, cyberspace, science fiction


* cyberculture, cyberpunk and the near future: utopias vs. dystopias


* science fiction and cyberpunk as a medium for exploring the nature of persons

* humans and cyborgs; the synergy of humans and technology; changing views of the body

* human and post-human concepts in cyber arts and cinema

* bodies in cyberculture; from apes to androids - electronic evolution; biotechnical advances and the impact of life, death, and social existence

* artificial intelligence and biomedia: self-organization as a cultural logic

* gender and cyberspace: new feminisms, new masculinities

* electronic persons, community and identity; cyberspace, cybercommunities, virtual worlds

* videogames and its impact on science fiction

* digital culture and interactive storytelling

* old messages, new medium: cyberspace and mass communication

* nature, enhancing nature, and artificial intelligence; artificial life, life and information systems, networked living

* human and post-human politics; cyborg citizenship and rights; influence of political technologies

* cyberpolitics, cyberdemocracy, cyberterror; old conflicts, new
spaces: elections, protest and war in cyberspace

* the state and cyberspace: repression vs. resistance

* boundaries, frontiers and taboos in cyberculture

* religion and spirituality in cyberculture

* technology vs. the natural? cyberculture and the green movement

The Steering Group welcomes the submission of pre-formed panel proposals. 300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 15th January 2010. If an abstract is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper should be submitted by Friday 28th May 2010.
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2nd Global Conference

Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment

Wednesday 7th July 2010 - Friday 9th July 2010

Mansfield College, Oxford

Call for Papers

This inter- and multi-disciplinary conference aims to examine, explore and critically engage with the issues and implications created by the mass use of computers and videogames for entertainment and focus on the impact of innovative videogame titles and interfaces for human communication and ludic culture. In particular the conference will encourage equally theoretical and practical debates which surround the cultural contexts within which videogames flourish.

Papers, presentations, workshops and reports are invited on any of the following themes:

1. Videogames and Gaming

Theories and Concepts of Gaming. Identifying Key Features and Issues.
Critical Theory for Videogames: Moving past the Narratology/Ludology Debate.

2. Videogame Cultures

Emerging Practices in Online and Offline Gaming. Social Dimension of Online Gaming and Presence in Virtual Worlds. Videogame Modifications.


3. Ethical Issues in Videogames

Videogames for children. Depiction of Violence, Sex, Morality and their relation to Maturity. Propaganda Games. Censorship.

4. Videogame Technologies and the Future of Interactive Entertainment


New Forms of Interaction, Immersion and Collaboration in Videogames.
The Role of Innovative Interfaces.

4. Reception, Temporality and Video Games

Player Generations. Old Originals vs. Retro games. Indie Games and Low-Tech Aesthetic.

5. The Relations between Cinema and Videogames

Crossmedia and Transmedia Approach to Videogames. Cutscene Production. Machinimation. Interactive Storytelling.

6. Art and Experimental Games

The Aesthetic Aspects of Videogames. Performative Use of Videogames.
Art-Mods.

7. Serious Games and Virtual Worlds

Social Impact Simulations. Educational Use of Videogames. Documentary Videogames. Political Issues.

The Steering Group welcomes the submission of pre-formed panel proposals. 300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 15th January 2010. If an abstract is accepted for the conference, a full draft paper should be submitted by Friday 28th May 2010.