[Commlist] Hipertext.net, n.29 | Call for Papers: Video Games and Narrative: Cultural Analysis, Discourses on the Medium and Technological Innovation

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Hipertext.net | Call for Papers:

Video Games and Narrative: Cultural Analysis, Discourses on the Medium 
and Technological Innovation

Guest Editors:
Óliver Pérez Latorre
Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
(oliver.perez /at/ upf.edu) <mailto:(oliver.perez /at/ upf.edu)>

Marta Fernandez Ruiz
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
(marta.fernandez.ruiz /at/ citm.upc.edu) <mailto:(marta.fernandez.ruiz /at/ citm.upc.edu)>

Submissions deadline: June 30, 2024
Notification of acceptance: October 2024
Publication: November 2024

Introduction

More than a simple additive to ludic interaction, the narrative of video 
games constitutes a fundamental facet of digital culture, where the 
collective imaginary is reflected (and constructed). Within game 
studies, there is notable interest in narrative analysis and audiovisual 
representation with a pronounced sociocultural focus. For instance, 
recent scholarship has delved into themes such as myths and ideology in 
video games (Planells, 2021), dystopian narratives (Farca, 2018), and 
the intersection of video games with local or national culture 
(Fernández-Vara, 2022).

Likewise, in the analyses of videoludic narratives and representations, 
special attention has been paid to issues related to gender, sexual 
identity and environmentalism (see, e.g., Ruberg and Shaw, 2017; op. de 
Beke et al., 2023). This, in parallel to the growing interest about 
indie games, some of which are characterized by their vocation for 
alternative culture, either at the level of formal/aesthetic innovation 
and/or social discourse (Anthropy, 2012; Juul, 2019).

Furthermore, narrativity serves as a focal point within game studies 
concerning the discourses or 'narratives' of the specialized press, the 
narratives of influencers on digital platforms, and the creations and 
discourses of fans (Kirkpatrick, 2015; Scolari and Fraticelli, 2019; 
Tosca and Klastrup, 2019).

Another crucial aspect to consider is the ongoing technological 
innovation and evolution of interfaces, which prompt a reevaluation of 
video game narrative design. Factors such as the ubiquity and 
portability of mobile devices, the integration of real-world 
environments into pervasive games and augmented reality experiences 
(Montola et. al, 2009; de Souza e Silva & Glover-Rijkse, 2020), along 
with the illusions of presence and embodiment generated by virtual 
reality (Bolter et. al, 2021), all encourage exploration of diverse 
forms of expression and meaning in the creation of ludonarrative 
experiences.

Moreover, video game technologies, particularly game engines, have been 
leveraged for the development of digital narratives associated with 
virtual production and cultural practices like machinima (Harwood & 
Grussi, 2021), stemming from creative experimentation.

In alignment with the proposed approach exploring the intersections 
between video games and narrativity, the following thematic lines and 
approaches are suggested in this call for papers. These serve as 
indicative references rather than exclusive categories:


• Textual/narrative analysis of video games
• Critical Analyses of Gender and Sexual Identity, Decolonialism, 
Environmentalism
• Alternative or counter-hegemonic narratives and representations
• Intertextual or comparative studies
• Intermediate or transmedia video game studies
• Studies on discourses and 'narratives' of the specialized press
• Studies around influencer narratives and streaming culture
• Studies on user-generated content, creations, and fan narratives
• Studies on creative experimentation on video games and digital 
storytelling
• Studies focused on video games, technological innovation and new 
trends in the creation of ludonarrative experiences

References

Anthropy, A. (2012). Rise of the Videogame Zinesters. Seven Stories
Farca, G. (2018). Playing Dystopia. Nightmarish Worlds in Video Games 
and the Player′s Aesthetic Response. Transcript Verlag
Bolter, J.D., Engberg, M., & MacIntyre, B. (2021). Reality Media: 
Augmented and Virtual Reality. The MIT Press.
De Souza e Silva, A., & Glover-Rijkse, R. (2020). Hybrid Play. Crossing 
Boundaries in Game Design, Players Identities and Play Spaces. Routledge.
Fernández-Vara, C. (2022): “National Games. Spanish Games of the 80s”. 
In: Navarro-Remesal, V. & Pérez-Latorre, O. (eds.): Perspectives on the 
European Videogame. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press
Harwood, T. & Grussi, B. (2021). Pioneers in Machinima: The Grassroots 
of Virtual Production. Vernon
Navarro-Remesal, V. & Pérez-Latorre, O. (eds.) (2021). Perspectives on 
the European Videogame. Amsterdam University Press
Juul, J. (2019). Handmade Pixels. Independent Games and the Quest for 
Authenticity. MIT Press
Op de Beke, L., Raessens, J., Werning, S. & Farca, G. (eds.) (2024). 
Ecogames. Playful Perspectives on the Climate Crisis. Amsterdam 
University Press
Kirkpatrick, G. (2015). The Formation of Gaming Culture. UK Gaming 
Magazines, 1981-1995. Palgrave Macmillan
Montola, M., Stenros, J., & Waern, A. (2009). Pervasive Games. Theory 
and Design. CRC Press.
Planells, A. (2021). The Promised Land in the Contemporary Video Game: 
Mythoanalysis of Bioshock Infinite and Death Stranding". L'Atalante, 
(31), 117-130. 
https://www.revistaatalante.com/index.php/atalante/article/view/866/644 
<https://www.revistaatalante.com/index.php/atalante/article/view/866/644>
Ruberg, B., & Shaw, A. (eds.) (2017). Queer Game Studies. University of 
Minnesota Press
Scolari, C., & Fraticelli, D. (2019). The Case of the top Spanish 
YouTubers: emerging media subjects and discourse practices in the new 
media ecology. Convergence, 25(3), 496-515. 
https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856517721807 
<https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856517721807>
Tosca, S., & Klastrup, L. (2019). Transmedial Worlds in Everyday Life. 
Routledge

Dates and contacts
Guest Editors

Óliver Pérez Latorre
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
(oliver.perez /at/ upf.edu) <mailto:(oliver.perez /at/ upf.edu)>

Marta Fernandez Ruiz
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
(marta.fernandez.ruiz /at/ citm.upc.edu) <mailto:(marta.fernandez.ruiz /at/ citm.upc.edu)>

Submissions deadline: June 30, 2024
Acceptance Notification: October 2024
Publication: November 2024

Hipertext.net website: https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/ 
<https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/>
Author Guidelines: 
https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/about/submissions 
<https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/about/submissions>

Types of articles
● Scientific Articles/ Papers: Texts with a length between 4,000 and 
8,000 words, excluding the bibliography. Recommended structure: 
Introduction, Theoretical Framework, Methodology, Results, Discussion, 
References.
● Reports/Analysis articles: Texts with a length between 4,000 and 8,000 
words, excluding the bibliography.
● Letters (brief communications): Letters or brief communications: Texts 
with a length between 1000 and 3000 words. Recommended structure: 
Introduction, Case Report, Discussion, References.

Publication Fees:
Hipertext.net is an open access journal which means that all content is 
freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. The 
authors do not need to pay an article-processing charge (APC).

Languages:
Original submissions written in Spanish, English, and Catalan are accepted.

Review:
Peer review

Contact:
Pere Freixa, Editor-in-chief, (hipertext /at/ upf.edu) <mailto:(hipertext /at/ upf.edu)>

Information about the journal:

https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/about 
<https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/about>

Hipertext.net privileges the state of the art and the results of 
research projects through competitive calls. It provides an open space 
for other national and international groups and researchers who wish to 
present the state of the art, case studies, conceptual models, and 
research results related to Digital Documentation and Interactive 
Communication in general.

More information about CFP: 
https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/announcement/view/200 
<https://raco.cat/index.php/Hipertext/announcement/view/200>

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